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I I 







^.^^•^"^ 




THE 



PLAYS 



OF 



PHILIP MASSINGEK, 



NOTES CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY, 



By WILLIAM GIFFORD. 



HAUD TAKEN INTIDEA8 TOTA QUBM PULPITA PASCUNT. 



THIRD EDITION. 



LONDON: 

JOHN TEMPLEMAN, 248, REGENT STREET, 
JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 4, OLD COMPTON STREET. 

MDCCCXL. 



TO THB RIGHT HONOURABLK 

CHARLES LONG, 

ONE OF THE LORDS OF HIS MAJESTY'S TREASURY, 
THIS BDITION 

OF 

THE WORKS 

OF 

PHILIP MASSINGER, 

18 INSCRIBED 
AS A SINCERE TESTIMONY OF RESPECT TO HIS PUBLIC CHARACTER, 

AlID OF 

ORATITUDE FOR MANY ACTS OF FRIENDSHIP AND PERSONAL KINDNESS, 

«r 

HIS OBLIOBD AND FAITHFUL SBRVANT, 

THE EDITOR. 

Hay, 1805. 



P R B F A C M. 



The present Edition of this admired writer has been published with a design of meeting the 
spirit of the age for cheap literature ; and its triumphant success is a gratifying proof of 
the manner in which the exertions of the publishers are appreciated. Previous to the 
appearance of this volume, the public, owing to the scarcity of former editions, possessed 
but a slight acquaintance with the writings of Massinger, and that derived only from occa- 
sional notices and extracts in periodicals, and the representation of '' A New Way to 
Pay Old Debts/' the only one of his Plays still acted on the stage. In this undertakings 
accuracy of text and good critical notes were deemed indispensable ; and the editor had 
but to choose between the gross negligence of Coxeter^and the odious vanity of Monk 
Mason, on the one hand, and the carefully and accurately edited compilation of Mr. Gifford, 
on the other. Never was an author under greater obligations to an editor, than is Massinger 
to Gifford. It is true his works had already appeared in a collected form ; but the bungling 
inaccuracies^ unwarrantable interpolations, and absurd commentaries, which disfigured 
these editions, had rather contributed to involve the author in still deeper obscurity, 
than to rescue him from that in which he had originally slumbered. 

In his attempt to do justice to his favourite poet, Mr. Gifibrd had many difficulties to 
contend against, and no hope of assbtance from the labours of his predecessors. Of a 
patient and vigorous cast of mind, his unclouded intellect was the first to form a due esti- 
mate of the manly productions of this author ; he sat down to his task as to a labour of 
love* and after careful and repeated collations of the text with the original editions, suc- 
ceeded in expunging from its pages a mass of stupid criticism and crude innovations, 
such as never, perhaps, disfigured the works of any other author. None but those 
who are acquainted with the editions referred to, can fully estimate the labours of 
this critic, of whose admirable qualifications as an editor, his exertions in favour of this 
abused poet will remain a lasting monument. He has been justly called by one who 
was himself no common master of the art, *' a giant in literature, in criticism, in poli- 
tics, and in morals, and an ornament and an honour to his country and the age in which 
he lived." 

But for him, these exquisite dramas would be as little known to us as the institu- 
tions of the Chinese ; and the redaction of public taste in favour of the productions of 



yiii PREFACE. 



our early dramatists, so conspicuous at the present day, received its first impulse from 
the endeavours of the translator of Juvenal, and the champion of Jonson and Massinger. 
A valuable appendage to his labours, are the critical observations subjoined to each Play, 
the masterly delineation of Massinger's character, and the general criticism on his 
works, furnished by Dr. Ireland, the Dean of Westminster. 

There is something interesting in the consideration of this literary partnership ; it 
reminds us of the old days of Beaumont and Fletcher, and Fletcher and Massinger, and 
Dekker and Greene ; and was not without a pleasing effect upon the feelings of the two 
friends. In closing his preface to Jonson, a splendid vindication of that calumniated 
poet, Gifford, in allusion to their long uninterrupted friendship, thus writes, ** With what 
feelings do I trace the words of the Dean of Westminster. Five and forty springs have 
passed over my head since I first found Dr. Ireland, some years my junior, m our httle 
school, at his spelling-book. During this long period our friendship ha^ been without a 
cloud,— my delight in youth, my pride and consolation in old age." The wiiter of these 
affectionate lines has long been an inhabitant of the dark and narrow house ; he died on 
the last day of the year 1826, aged 70 ; and the survivor, for whom these tender senti-^ 
ments were expressed, well stricken in years, is fast hastening to the land where *' the 
wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest." 

In Sir Walter Scott's Diary appears the following admirable character of Gifford • 
** As a commentator he was capital, could he but have suppressed his rancours against 
those who had preceded him in the task ; but a misconstruction or misinterpretation, nay 
the misplacing of a comma, was in Gifford's eyes a crime worthy of the most severe' 
animadversion. This lack of temper probably arose from indifferent health ; for he was 
very valetudinary, and realised two verses, wherein he says Fortune assigned him — 

" One eye not over good, 

Two sides that to their cost bare stood 

A ten years' hectic coagb. 
Aches, stitches, all the rarious ills 
That swell the deyillsh doctors' bills 

And sweep poor mortals off." 

But he might justly claim, as his gift, the moral qualities expressed in the next fine 
stanza — 



'A soul 



That spurns the crowds* malign control, 

A firm contempt of wrong ; 
Spirits above affliction's power, 
And skill to soothe the lingering hour 

With no inglorious song." 

The rigour, with which the derelictions of his predecessors were visited, above 
alluded to, is displayed in an uncommon degree in the work before us; and four 



PREFACE. 



years after its first appearance in 1805, the Edinburgh Reviewers," losing their sense of 
the cciminars guilt in dislike of the savage pleasure which the executioner seemed to 
take in inflicting the punishment," appeared as the champions of Monk Mason and 
Coxeter, and had the hardihood to attack not only the judgment but even the accuracy 
of Gififord. 

In his second edition of 1 8 1 3, the abused commentator turned upon his foes, and in a pre- 
face, powerful and energetic, successfully defended himself from their aspersions; with regard 
to the charge of inaccuracy, he justly says, — ** I did not expect this. I will take upon me 
to assert, that a more perfect text of an old poet never issued from the English press. It 
I was revised in the first instance with a care of which there is scarcely an example ; and a 
subsequent examination enables me to speak with a degree of positiveness on the subject, 
which sets all fear of contradiction at defiance." An accusation, such as the above, 
could only have been made by those who had never looked into Coxeter and Monk 
Mason *s editions, or had never consulted the old copies. From internal evidence, it 
appears that all that these reviewers knew of Massinger and his editors, was learned 
from the very *• Introduction" whose accuracy they pretended to impeach. 

It has been the fate of Massinger to have been generally but imperfectly understood 
or appreciated by the lovers of the Drama ; while to Jonson, and Beaumont and Fletcher^ 
have been assigned the place nearest to Shakspeare in the scale of superiority, he has 
scarcely ever been mentioned but as a writer of inferior merit. Although far from con- 
curring in the opinion of GifFord, which would reduce Shakspeare to the level of his 
contemporaries, it appears to us that singular injustice has been done to this harmonious 
poet. Hazlitt, whose genius revelled in the more glowing conceptions of the Swan of 
Avon, has pronounced this harsh sentence on Massinger : — " Massinger makes an 
impression by hardness and repulsiveness of manner. In the intellectual processes which I 
he delights to describe, ' reason panders will ;' he fixes arbitrarily on some object ; 
which there is no motive to pursue, or every motive combined against it, and then, by | 
screwing up his heroes and heroines to the deliberate and blind accomplishment of this, | 
thinks to arrive at ' the true pathos and sublime of life.' That is not the way. He ; 
seldom touches the heart or kindles the fancy." Did Mr. Hazlitt forget the speech of I 
Sforza before the Emperor in " The Duke of Milan," that noble picture of a good man | 
buffetting with adversity; or the pathos of "The Fatal Dowry;" the fine character of ■ 
Pisander in " The Bondman ;" the interview between Don John Antonio, disguised as a 
slave, and his mistress, in " A Very Woman ;" or those splendid conceptions, Luke and , 
Sir Giles Overreach, in " The City Madam," and " A New Way to Pay Old Debts" ? I 
Our respect for Hazlitt, as a critic, is great ; but we certainly cannot assent to his low < 
estimate of Massinger. Schlegel, who bestows so much elaborate and philosophical criti- I 
dsra upon his contemporaries, dismisses the merits of this writer in a few lines, conspicuous 
neither for justice nor an intimate acquaintance with the writings he professes to criticize* 
The late Charles Lamb was one of the first to direct the public attention to the works of 
this and other of our neglected dramatists ; and it has been admirably observed by a late 
writer in the " Quarterly Review," that Lamb's Essays and Gifford's editions have most 
powerfully contributed to disseminate a kno-^^ledge of the manly and vigorous writers of the 



PREFACE. 



Elizabethan age. In the year 1786 an elegant essay on the dramatic writings of Mas- 
•inger by Dr. Ferriar, appeared in the third volume of the " Manchester Transactions," 
and was afterwards, with permission of the author, reprinted by Gifford at the close of his 
mtroduction. In this pleasing performance the plays of Massinger are philosophically 
analysed ; and the cause of the general neglect of our old dramatists is ingeniously attri- 
buted to their too frequent delineation of perishable manners. 

In his closing notice of Massinger, Dr. Ireland feelingly observes, *' It is truly sur- 
prising that the genius which produced these Plays should have obtained so little notice 
from the world ;" and Hallam, the critic who next to Gifford displays the most profound 
' knowledge of his writings, and the fullest appreciation of his genius, does not hesitate to 
! place him as a tragic writer second only to Shakspeare, and in the lighter comedy scarcely 

inferior to Jonson. Any comparison of Massinger to Shakspeare would be invidious ; but j 
i though second to that great writer in the vastness and variety of his conceptions, he may 
I certainly take the lead of those who have hitherto been considered his superiors. His in- 
' vention is as fertile, and his management of his plots as ingenious, as those of Beaumont and 
Fletcher; while the poetry of his language, the knowledge of human nature, and the fine 
' development of the passions displayed in his Tragedies, can only be surpassed by the great 
master himself. By Ben Jonson he is excelled in the studied exactness and classical 
polish of his style ; but in the freezing coldness of this writer he is deficient. The charm 
, of his Plays consists in the versatility of his imagination, and the fine bursts of pathos 
I which embellish his tender scenes. In his female characters he is particularly happy ; 
I and while proclaiming our veneration for Juliet, Desdemona, or Cordelia, we should 
not heedlessly overlook the graces of Dorothea*, Theocrinef, Matilda|, Camiola§, | 
and Pulcheria||. 

Massinger was the last of his tribe — ultimus Romanorum. With him expired the dra- ' 
matic genius of this country. In the anarchy which followed the outbreak of the civil 
war, the stage was neglected, and the emasculated school of dramatic poetry, subse- 
quently founded by Dryden and his followers, can never bear comparison with the ' 
productions of the vigorous intellects of the Elizabethan era. Since that period many 
unsuccessful attempts have been made to revive the drama ; and though many have 
appeared bearing an outward resemblance to our old plays, yet that true dramatic 
essence, which can only flourish in a soil uncomipted by ultra refinement, is evidently j 
wanting. I 

* ViripQ Martyr, f Unnatural Combat, t Basbful Lover. $ Maid of Honour. H Emperor of the Eaat 



INTRODUCTION, 



Fnttr Hauinoir, the lotlior of the following 
riirc, vrna bora in the veiir \bS4, Of his mother 
nothiDfi^ is koown ^ but hia father was Arthur iSIat- 
\^m§vt*f 1 geutknaan attached to the fa mil 7 of 
lliviirj leoood £arl of Pembroke : ** Many jears/* 
T«Bf« the potrt, to his deteeadant, Philip Earl of 
Mont^omerj, "my father spent in the service of 
your honourable boase. and died a servant to it. " 
The whters of Massisger s life have thought it 
sesaary to obterro in this place, that the word 
TSAt carries with it no sende of degradation. 
Tbii rvqiiirB«no proof: at a ptsnod when the great 
lord* and officen of the court numbered inferior 
Doblas anioog their followers, we may be con fid en t 
that oettber the oaine nor the situation was looked 
VpOO as htiiniljating. Maoj considerations united to 
fimdtr thu state of dependaoce respectable, and 
•f «n honourable. 1 he aecretaries, clerks, and assist* 
Miti. of rsrioos departmeots, were not then, aa now, 
BOAinated by the Government; but left to the 
fbolee of the person who held the employment -, 
med tm no particular dwe]lmg was officially set 

nfor ibeu residence, they were entertained in 
(HUC af their principal. 
Tliat communicatioo, Loo, between Qohlemen of 
power and trust, both of a public and private nature, 
which la now oomtuitted to the post, wss^ in those 
dava, managed by confidentiul servants, who were 
dispalcbed froni one to the other, and even to the 
•oTeretgat: when to this we add the uaboitnded 



• illf/i9f%ft fraw Arfhar UtttMHrt^,] •' I cnnnut gne'n/* 
D«4t«* Mi>f* '^lyofti wb«t tniur milt ton OII()y»« in hl» iiiittiii' 
at*ipt m«Hir» iU» L»nig,bmijnn, give* tlir ChriMiAa usiive of 
4irfJMr 10 MMmimarf'9 f»lli«rt nor wbv ht ehuulil rrproach 
Wci«4 lor «iUl«f Moi PTilUfi ; •! 




i||»co M<iMinm*r liiiiim II. Ill 
..I VI. .,,1- 



cJi- 



TVi* ftvMmiMirf olMrrvAlloii iiigrifi but 111 fur the secN- 

faej "t iiii:.ii! tp..J5,.^» UI1I1. «lii. %^ !• < srrv careful ttrriler, 

mai 1 1 ■ Djtviei uevur 

§int I i'Uii|i»; iHtk tliat it tiul iK^ 

eel J hUK a* well >■ the VUy it- 

f 4» iii*utui* ' wltb iT9pect to M«»»inc«r*i 

lUUrr, wle «** il> EllK«brth : " Mr. MftMtui;«r 

(i IHF^H M-inr- . I -r rtinbfuk.' viilh IrlttT? 

ftft V' V ihit St. 

O**-' - lie I[w4r«r 

of !• I - :., pfrhapi 
iutyn^t*m, umUI, M I>AvU.« ju«Ul> utittcr\£t| bene 



State and grandeur which the great men of Elisa* 
beth's days assumed on a variety of occasions, we 
may form some idea of the nature of those services 
discharged by men of birth and fortune, and the 
manner in which such numbers of them were eni' 
ployed. 

Maasinger was bom, «s all tie writers of Lis life 
agree, at Saltsboryt probably at Wilton, the seat of 
the Earl of Pembroke, in whose family he appears 
to hare been educated, Wben he rencbed his six- 
teenth year, he sustained an irreparable loss in the 
death of that worthy nob!«-mEiM*^ who, from attach' 
ment to the father, would, not improbably, have 
extended his powerful patronage to tbw young poet. 
He was succeeded in his titles and estates by his 
son William, tlie third Karl of Pembroke ; one of the 
brightest cbaractera that adorned the court of Eliza- 
beth and James, *' He was," says Wood, "not 
only n great favourer of learned and ingenious men, 
but was htmielf learned, and endowed to admiration 
with a poetical geny, aa by those amorous and 
poetical aires iptl poems of hia composition doth 
evidently appear ; some of which had musical notes 
set to ttiotn by Hen. Lawes and JSich. Laoeare," 
Alh. I. :rht. 

Massinger's fatl»er continued in the service of 
this nobleman till his de-ath. It is not possible to 
iiHcertoin the precise period at which tins took place, 
but it WiLS not later, perhaps, than lt306 : in the 
interim he Imd bestowed^ aa Laogbaine says, a 
libera} education on hia eon, and seat him to the 
University of Oxford, where he became a com- 
moner of St. Alban's Halt (160'^), in the eighteenth 
year of hb age, W^ood's account varies trom this 
in several particulars, lie says, he was entered 
at St. Alban'a Hall in IdOl, when he was in hit 
seventeenth year, ond supported tliere, not by hia 
^tber, hut the £arl of Pembroke, Antony had 



Diean penon : Air do moaanJi ever cxncitA fnita Ibc eobi- 
tlly In Kcnvrati sad the fiOJicen of »uiv iu punlcuiu, • more 
t\^k\ «tu1 •cfHp'iiWoa ooffipUaiice to ttateJ order, lb4a ihJs 

* Heath tif that vmfkf moMeman.] ThJa twik plscc on 
Uie hiib ot JinMury, 1601. It is tmpoi»lb1« to ipcak or bim 
wktIi'Mit meiitiiinliigr at the •anic time, that be wit tliv bui- 
bdiul of Sir iMiilip Si^lnty'i titter, tW all-accotiipLUbed Lsdf 
tor wboiD Ji>ii»<4.>ii wruttf the cc-libratrd epitaph; 
** 1,'iiflerDr'alli tlu«i inarble herfe, 
Lie I Ihc »nbject nf all veru, 
BJidn«y'* titter, Pembroke'* nioihtrrj 
D'cath, Rr« thou batt stiiln niioibL-r, 
Lcarti'i), and fair, aivd g*^ ai *be, 
Tlin* *hiU tkrow a dart at Ctefu" 



ixiaay opportuDm^e for tscertBiiting theae tmin, if he 
bad deBir<*<i to amil liims«lf of th«in» and therefor* 
Dariefl inclines to liia authoritv. The seeming dif- 
feren?©, be iidds. bertwecn ibe two period § resi>oct* 
irely masigned for Ma<i.iiingt<r'9 malriculAfioa, mny 
be eatit^ recmcilfd, for the year then began and 
ended according to dmi mode which took place be- 
fore the alteration of the style. 1 1 is aetdom safe 
to apeak hv guess, and Da vies had no autboritj for 
his inf^nfous solution ; i^kich ufifortunately will 
not Apply in the prraeut case. The tBerooraoduixi 
of Maisinger's entrance now lies before me, and 
proves Wood to be incorrect; it i$ dated May 14, 
I6(>t\ tJow he came to mitilake io a matter where 
it required so liltle pains to be accurate^ is ttiffioult 
to aay. 

Lau^bfline and Wood agree 1q the time MasMn^eT 
spent at Oxford, hut differ as to the objects of hie 
pursuit. The fbrmer ohHerves, that during his 
residence there he appHed himself closely to his 
studies ; while the latter iiTites, that he '♦ ga^e his 
m'md more to poetry and romances for about four jeare 
or more, than to lo^icaud philosophj, which h* ought 
10 httit done, as be was patronized to that end/* 
What ideai this tasteless but uaeful drudge hart of 
logic and philosophy it may be vain to enquire » hut, 
with T»»9j>ect to the first, I^taaiiinger'a reasoning will 
not be found de^cient either in method or effeet ; 
and it mig^bt ea%iily bfi proved that he was no meuQ 
prolicioDl in philosophy of the noblest kind ; ihe 
truth is, that he must have applied himself to study 
frith uncommon energy j for his literary act^u'isitiona 
■I this ^arly period Appear to be multtfarioua and 
eateusive. 

From the account of Wood, however, DaTies 
concludes that the Earl of Pembroke was offended 
at this misapplication of his time to the auiierficial 
but allunng pursuits of poetry and romance, ond 
therefore withdrew his support, which compelled 
the young man to quit the University without a do- 
gree-j *' for which/' adds he, " attention to logic tud 
philosophy waa absotutfely necessary ; as the eandl- 
date for that honour must pass through an examitia- 
tioQ in both, before be can obtain h. Dam te pata 
dn av^ugUt, sava the proverb, Ui tiorgnet iont rmt : 
and Daries, who apparently had not tht^ae vatuublu 
acquisitions, entertained probably a vai^t idea of 
their mngnitude and importance, A ihorter period, 
however, tbtiu four yours, would be found ojnply 
auflicient to furnish even un ordinary mind wirb 
enough of school logic and pbilosupliy* lu puss the 
i-'xainiuatian fur a bacholor's degree; and 1 nm, 
therefore, unwillmg to believe that Mas&inger 
mi^aed it on the score of incapacity iu tht*ae notable 
arts. 

However this may be, he certainly leil the Uni- 
versity abruptly ; nolj 1 appfehend, on account of 
the Karl of Pembroke withholdini^ hia assistance^ for 
U does not appear that he ever aflorded any* but of a 
much more calamitous event, the death of his ftk* 
tber i from whom, I incline to think with Lang* 
baine, hia sole support was derived. 

Why the Earl of Pembroke, the liberal friend 
and protector of literature in all its braocheaf, ne- 



t To Vy. 



"piitlcmaii : " rhilip Mm- 

.>nniier Ijrother Pbtlip) 
^jii cdi^oD of ShAkipcarc't 



glected a younjE^ man to whom bis assistance ^as so 
opcesaary, and who, from the acknowledged {services 
of his father, had so many and just claims on it ; 
too, who would have done bia patron ag** such sing 
houour, I have no means of ascertaining ; that hei 
never indebted to it ig, I fear, indisputable, since the 
poet, of whose character gratitude forms a striking 
part, while he recurs perpetually to bi:!i berediCiiry 
obligatiooa to the Herbert family, aniiuusly avoids 
all mention of his name. I somerimcs, indeed, 
imagine that I have discovered the cause of thii 
alienation, hut cannot flatter myself that it will bo 
very generally or evt n partially allowed: not to 
keep the reader in suffpense, 1 attribute it to the 
poet's having, during hi.i residence at the L'uiver* 
eity. exchanged the religion of hia father, for one, 
at this time the object of persecution, hatred, and 
terror. A close and repeated peruaai of Mna^inger'a 
woiks has convinced me that he was a CalliolJc 
••The Virgin -Martyr,*" "Ibe Renegade,'* "The 
Maid of IJonour,*' exhibit innumerable proofs of it| 
to say nothing of those casual intimations that are 
scattered over bis remaining dramas : n consciousness 
of this mij^ht prevent htm from applying; to the Earl 
of Pembroke for asiistance, or a kuowJrdge of it 
might determine that ooblt»moo to vrithhold bis 
hand : for it is didicult to believe th^it bin displea- 
sure (if he really entertained any) could arise from 
Massinger's attachment to an art of which he and 
his brother* were univer«ally considered as the 
patrons, and which, indeed, he himst»If rullivatcd, 
with a<^aiduity at least, if not with ancces&t. 

However this be. the period of Masain^jcr'a mis- 
fortunes commtncod with his arrival in London* 
His fulher had probkibly applied most of bis property 
to the education of his son ; and whr^n the amall 
remainiler was exhausted, he was driven (as he 
more than once observes) by his ncoessitii**, and 
some w hut inclined, [>erhaps, by the pecutiur brnt of 
his talenU^ to dedicate hioi^el/ to tiie service of the 
stage. 

This expedient, though not the most prudent, 
nor, indeed, tlie most encouraging to & young ad- 
venturer, was not altogether hDpci'lr"iS. JMun who 
will ev'er bo considered as the pride and boaat of 
their couniry, Shttkspeare, Johnson, and Fletcher^ 
were solely, or in a considerable degree, deriendeo ton 
it : nor were there others wanting of an inferior rank, 
such as Rowley, Middleton, Field, Decker, Shirley, 
atid Ford ; writers to whom MnRsinger^ without 
liny mipeiubmput of his modesty, might consider 
hiuiselt aa fully et^ual, who ttubsisted ou the emolu- 
meats derived from dramatic wntiog. There wh^ 



Pl«jr*; tt» Khiii nUo, Juiituri ln5cnbi.() )m E|jieriii7i«, '*«i» ihr 
cre^t exum^itc m liouutir unti vhtue,*' Jin ifit-.i ou wlikh liw 
t'Oturged lu oiif or hU mini if pn«iii>. fi i* LvinUor th«l I 
^u* (tUle cuitUiitUy t)<t*^«fii Juu»or^ uiiiLoiir Aiitbur; 
fuiiiicr cuuld bear iiu rival ru'iii i1>i' ihionc : 

•— — HHttquam partitur am^t^uw, 

Xofn4 hn (ffl ; 
yft If wunM be »jnl«i't to *etM*i' 
itoltf- ^* -■' ' --■ '" ■"•■- - 



• I 

W»* <U-U. -M ,,, -. 

f lu loot) M49 

puelicjil «Lr« uihI > 
iille: Poem9 H-rUu.; ;, 
frnftny q/ ir/ticA ar«nnii'!- 
Bmj. Uudtfttrti, ti'Hh i)i>.' 
tiOHaUl/ oHii apart.*' Ailn. 



frvf>ii to vntpeei Mm of 

- ' '' f^r^'l rnriid, OO OQ 
M«;1rlicr*» PUys 

raUvt Urtl* flf " Jtinotti 

w«hnI tiiit iiA, "vtita i 

'> '' '. r. .,•■. ■■! rrjMirf**, bff i!Wr 
/'• '. r:\ 'i 6^ (htm ecvtS' 



Ai 



IfrJTRODUCTION. 



if 



iUo •otDtfthing to tempt tbe ambitJon. or, iT it most 
jb* BO» lb« vntiiry, of a yoang adventurer m this pur- 
utt : liu^rature wm tbe folf» zDeans by wbicb a per- 
mrdisuoguisbed hj birtb and fortaoe couId» 
tihii ttBMF, hope to •oquifQ tbe fKiitilimrity, or 
ilMl^ frieodshipf of tbe great ; aud of all its 



a<oiii« wat so faToumbly rfcetfedj, or ao 

fi^*n}It encouraged, aa that of the drama. Tilta 
•ad cmiroaioeiita, the boiateroua but magaificeat 
of tbe eourt, together with pageant- 
I pfoc^askma, tbe absurd and costly mum- 
of the city, were rapidly giving way to 
•lagant and mtionul amua«m«nts. to re- 
vets, Bsaaka. and plays r oor were the tatter 
naeiely eaeounij^ed by tbe presence of the nobility ; 
th* writara of them were adopted into the number 
irf'tbftir arqoaiotance, and made at once the objects 
irf flieir bounty and esteem. It is f^raiifying to 
obaerre bow the names of Shakspeare, jonsonp 
&Cr ara €ome down to us in connection with 
j dif SidD«ya« the Pembrokea, tbe Southaroptona, and 
|k#eb«r great and splendid oroamenta of the courta of 
B^sabctb and James. 

ff ConaidaraCioas of tbia or a similar kind may na- 
tef«llT ba soppofled to have bad their weight with 
Maiiinp i ^ aa with so many others : but wh.'itever 
WM lb* ttoCiTe, Wood informs us» that *' heing 
MlfieicDtlY fiuned for Bevera] apecimena of wit, he 
baUM^k btmaalf to making plays.** Of what 
dcaeriptbo tbese specimetis were, Antony doBB not 
jbf probably spoke without much examinatiou 
aobject for wbieb be had little relUb or soU- 
_ ; and. indeed, it seams more reasonable to 
Inda, from tbe peculiar nature of Massinger's 
kCa, that the drama was bis first and sole pur- 

It must appear sin^lar, after wlist has been ob- 
•crretl, that with only one exception we should hear 
DOtbiof^ of !VIa««ioger for the long period of sixteeti 
y«arc. that is, from bis first appearance in London, 
ji^ip^ to I62it when his "Virgin Alartjr," the first 
uf fiia printed worka, was given to the pubMo. 
Ihrnt bia tMeeasitiea would not admit of relnxation in 
kkm mSertm for subalateoce, ia certaia ; and we have 
€f a contemporary poet, as preserred 
I, for tbe rapidity with which he usually 

BbalEaspMre, Maasinger^ that knows 
V of plol, to write in verse and prose, 
Pegaaua will amble o'er 

liles of fancy in a hour." 

Tbe baal solution of the difficulty which occurs 
l»»e,ls»tbat tba poet's modenty, c^^tmhined with 
tSm m^ivaey of his wnnta, detem^d him, at firstj 
h%m MMfliptJQg to write alone : and that be, tfaere- 
Isf*. IsKt bia aasistince to others of a more con- 
iilail mtitition, who could depend on a ready 
aanl Ibr tbfiir joint productionSr When men labour 
for iba dttnaoda of tbe day, it is imprudent to leare 
lo baaard ; aocb cartaioly was tba case with 




tfjLT Attton Cockayne, the affectionate friend and 
paetJtm of our author, printed a collt^ction of, whnt 
Wm m pleased to call. Poems, Epigrams, hc^ m 
1656. Among tbese, is one addrrssed to llum^ 
Moftalay« the publisher of Beaumont and 
T ia ffOio : 
-J the larya book of plsTs you late did print 
1ft Beeamoiit and in Fletcher's name, wby in't 



Did you not justice give ; to each bis dao i 
For (ieiiumont of those nmny writ but few : 
And Mauhtger in other few; the main 
JBeing sweet issues of sweet Fletcher's brain. 
But how came I, you ask, so much to know T 
Fletcher's chief bosom friend informed me so/' 

Davies, for what reason I onnnot discover^ se^ma 
ioctined to dispute that part of tlie assertion which 
relates to Massinger : be calls tt Tsgue and hearsay 
evidence, and adds, with sufficient want of preci- 
sion, " Sir Aston was well acquainted with Mas* 
singer, who would, in nil probubility, have coin* 
municuted to his friend a circumstance so honourable 
to himself." There can he no doubt of it; and we 
may be cnnfideDt that the infomiaiion t/td come from 
him; hut Mr. Dovies mistakes tbe drift of Sir 
Aston's expostulation : the fact was notorious, that 
Beaumont and Massinger bad written iti conjunction 
with Fletclier ; what he complains of is, that the 
main, the bulk of tbe book, should not be attributed 
to tbe latter, by whom it was undoubtHdly composed, 
Beaiumont died in 16l5, and Fletcher produced in 
the iuteri^al between tbat year ond tbe period of his 
own dt^atb (lOS.'^), between thirty and forty plays: 
it is not, therefore^ unreasooable to suppose that be 
was aasiated io ajtw of them by Massinger, as Sir 
Aston affirms : it happens, howerer, that tbe fact 
doots not mst solely on his testimony ; for we can 
produce a melancholy proof of it, from an authentic 
voucher, which the enquiries set on foot by tbe un- 
wearied assiduity of Mr. Malone have occasioned 
to be dragged from the dust of Dulwich College: 

" To our most loving friend, Mr. Philip Hiacblow« 
esquire, These, 
" Mr. Hi nc blow, 
" You understand otir unfortunate extremitie, and 
I doe not tliincke you so void of Cri^tiDniiie but 
that you would throw so much money into the 
Thames as wee request now of you, rather than en- 
daoger so many innocent lives. You know there is 
xi. more at least to be receaved of you for the play. 
We deaire you to lend us v/, of that ; which shall 
be allowed to you, without which we cannot be 
bayled, nor I f) /ay any mart till this be dispatch 'd. 
It will lose vou XX ^ ere tbe end of the next weeke, 
besides the litnderance of tbe next new play* Pray, 
air, consider our cases witb humanity, and now give 
us cause to acknowledge you our true friend in time 
of oeede. Wee hare entreated Mr. Davison to de- 
liver tbia note, as well to witnots your love aa oor 
promisea, and atwayea acknowled|^ement to be ever 
*' Your most tbanckfuU and loviog friends, 
*' Nat FiJSLn*" 

"Tba money shall be abated out of the money 
remayns for f/« piai^ of Mr. FUtcher and oun, 

" Rob. DADonNE*." 

" I have ever found you a true loving friend lo 
mee, and in aoe amall a suite, it beeinge honest, 1 
hope you will not fail us. 

" Philip Massikoxk " 



• Ufbtrt I>*Uiriti! It ili*aiillM>roflw*> ?»•>»," The ChriHUa 
Ttirnvtl Tntkt" 4li>, (613, and "The Pour M^n'* Comfwirt/' 4to, 
mny He WHS a ttentltinAD of b liberal «<l«Mtii>rj, m4»lt r ut 
ji«», «iMi io hoiyonler*. His huinbk forlanci ^ppc^r to have 
t«»Hrov«J after Uiks period, for Ibere h extmt a •ermoa 
pn^Ailitfl by dim Hi W*!crtiud lu Irrland^ li5 Iti, where lite 
«nilMM* fif flic '* BlogripUia I>r«iiiutk«" itiiuk it pi liable that 
he hafls Uvldg. 



MXt 



INTRODUCTION. 



*' Indaned : 
*' Received by mee Robert D«viioii, ot Mr. 
lltQctilow, for the ua« of Mr, Daboerue, Mr. TeM, 
Mr. MeaMo^er, Uio lum of vL 

*'R0B.DAri!»0K«/' 

Thu letter trip«rttte, whicb it ia impostible to 
ntd witbout ibe most poignant regret at tbeUUtress 
of eucb men, fully establuhts tbe partnpTAhtp 
between Maaainger and Fletcher, wbo must, indeed, 
bare bad oontiderabLe asaiitanco to ennble him to 
taring forward tb« numeroua plays attributed to bis 
name. 

We con now account for a part of Ihe time wbicb 
Maaiinger fp«Qt in London before im appearance 
in print as a profeaaed vrriter for the atoge : but tbts 
ia not all. Among the manuscript playa collected 
with auch care by Mr. Warburton (Somerset He- 
rald) and applied with aucb persevemnce by his 
cook to the covering of bia pies, were no leas than 
iwelre aaid to be written by IVIasaingert ; and 
though it is now made probable that two of the 
number do not belong to him, yet scattered notioesi 
of others which assuredly do, prove that be was not 
inactive* 



• AddiHont la Matom't HiMtorkul Account ^th§ Kng- 

t Nobfu than rwtfto»» &&] Their tlllct. «ssivcn by Mr. 
Warlnirtoii. are — 

Mimfrvo'B JtacrijSce, 

itwISMid ami Vafia, 
Th* ITtffiMM't Pt0t. 
Th9 T'prant, 
PhiUn*0 tutd Bippotim- 
The Judge. 

Beiifp* n§gou LUt. 
Thr fivnaur t^f Womvn* 

Tke Sable Chuic*. Ai»*t, 

The Parliatatni of Lope, 
Whrtt it Ii «cid«d th^i, to^iibvr with llic»*, forly other 
mAunaciipt pla>a f>f VAttou» miMixr* ^i'%* (Jc»trny«(t, U wUI 
iftfiUly be iillowcd that Enj^lii^h litomlarv hu »eMum vm- 
twihctt a greater low tti«D t>) tbe ilranj^e ciinducl of Mr, 
Wiubiinoti^ wbO| Ix'cotiiing the ma»tor of tftftioref nliicb 
a»f* itiqy not re protface, /o(//v« Mffm» nt. he !«} «, m ih« hand* 
tffam ignorant mrvant. ^lut wh+n, *fifT n Upte of >'v>n. he 
(xknd[i»«f#iv1« to rt-vinii hi& bi-aiiJA, iioda that thej have been 

bi- - > ■' n eco'iiomjical wiih to A«ve btm tbn- charge'* of 

*< liriotvu p«per( It U lime to bring od »ht,ire 

f I if»E pai»cn|;cr| In Locher't '* Navti otnllifen/* 

«u^h i><.ii4ni^v Jaun for one roore uiluhle to tbe rc*t vf the 



cam. 
Tardi 



ninly. however, «■ Mr. W«rhiirt«n w»». It Mppcart lh»t 
Iwesiiic to time ta preserve three drtnuii frotn the ECDeral 
wreck: 

Th* :fwon4 Maid'» Tr^fit/dg^ 
Th4 Hugbean. And. 
T7t0 (/Mtm tif ('**r»icn. 
Thaae.U it Mid, ure now i>t tb^- Hhniry *f the MtrqiiUof 
L»^^fcJowlH^ \W., (i tl.- v i,>i)l i>r.j>4bl> reinnio \n Mfrt^, till 
>• '' tbt-Lr 'Vror|{ult«ii (Sa>t" 

■ > i>c ^4ai.<J Lit^uud ibc- rc^rh ii 

V ' from Uie prcM wJU Ik- nlUi^i 

r: ;• rvuci' !«► tSif ^injoit lis.r.itiirr i.| 

TUi: i.n, lin\^. ..^, . 

lnjid» »iiJ>«rTt' lii ! 
Hiiioiirt^r; i» i- I'.i i 

rllber lo the Liru|]iic(oi3 if '.'Lljtr!, Jimi iji.jiiu:n:JHjU 4it uuw 
lionnJcd^ bultlijit A ur H ttiiy br rt'lrbrnterl for pt>Me»«lnt; 
H'hit da other leller of the alpb«ticT cini bopc t" ifiH;niM-, 
Kor It thli aJl, Tb« hitcfui ptMioo of Uier«ry mvirice (4 
' oC vanity aod cfivy) b t>ecoaikos epidemic^ and 



t .ft^rm fwmfiitf iwc pwinam cothdm .„, 

CaUw9 mte wrAttjM. me Ubri tniitv mmtem, 
Attamen in waono p*r oie icmuter lioauas* 



Fowr only of the plays named in Mr, Warburton *f 
list occur in the OflBce-book of Sir Henry Herhert, 
wliich is continued ttp to the latest period of Mas- 
smger's life : it is, therefore.Jevident that they must 
have been written previoua to its cororapncement; 
thcae. iberefore, with *'The Old Law/' »* T^rts 
Viffjin ftlartyr," '* The II n natural Combat," and 
*' The DuVe of IVIi^an/" wbicb are also unnoticed in 
it» will suSicientiv fill up tbe time till U^t, 

There are no Jam to aacertatn the respectire pe- 
rioda at which these plays were produced. *' Tbe 
Virgin Martyr" ia con6deniW mentioned by the 
former editors as tbe earliest of IMasaioger'a works, 
probably because it was tlie first that appeared in 
print : but this drama, which they ha^e considerably 
under-rated, in conscL)oi>nce, perhaps, of the dull 
ribaldry with which it is vitiated by Docker, evinces 
a atyle decidedly formed, a band accustomed to com- 
position, and a mind stored with the richest acqui- 
aitions of a long tind successful study. 

" Thu Old Law," which was not printed till 
many years after Massin^er's death, is aaid to bave 
been wiilton by him in conjunction with I^liddletoo 
and Rowley*. The latter of these is ranked by tbe 
author of **The Compamon lo the Pbv House^'* in 
ihe third class of dramntic writers , Ligher, it ia 
impossible to plnce him : but die former was • 
man of considerable powers, who has lately been 
the obj*»ct of much atscuasion, on account of the 
liberal use Shakspeare ia supposed to have made 
of his recently discovered tragi-comedy of '• The 
Witch*." 

It is said, by Steerens, that " The Old Law" wai 
acted in 1559. If it be really so. Mussinger's name 
must, in future, be erased from the title-page of 
that play, for he was, at that datOj only in the fif« 



branch tng oul iii evvry clir«ction. It h»» mAtty of the vrorM 
tyitipiitriis of that ittadoraa which once TAgv^l ^moi^g the 
I>ulcb (or the poMt^Mtofi of iiitipt; — here, as v*cll n* In HoU 
Unci, «ti ariiari^t rAfiiy li firii created, tod thru made a 
pica for extortion or a crooad for Ium tnlndtfd aod vcin^ti 
exttlUlion. I >pcal£ not of worka never iiilenilcti fur wle, 
and df will I < , tbe ovriier niny print »» few or M 

man;;^ a» i ill allow; but of tbovcwlilich ar« a*> 

leaaibly <i in- |iijblic,aiMl wbicb, nottiitbstandtn^, 

prove Ihc feiUir* lo i.ihcMir miJvr thii odiim* dli«aae. Here 
ait old maim^rripi iBhroa^hl forwanl, and after a few 'opki 
•re printed, the pres* Ls broker) op, ihal there ma> be a pre* 
tence for tc^UlDg ibcni at a prict' which nODC but a ruUrctor 
caarcich: there, explanatory phirt are t'nfravrd for a 
work of geocral dm.', mid, mb vuon ae twenty or tbtrty |tn« 
prcftloni ara taken off, ilcitrojrtl with {r.iinttou> tnAltce 
^ror it ilr«rve» nu other name), that there w*y ht a mad 
comfuvtktion for tbe fa von rod coplen 1 T*> roin-tMdr, forthh 
ti bo pteaiant subject. t>tiok» are t*tn ' ! >Mi»a- 

gant ratrt; tiol b1^r«4l«r Ibry are v ^ nrv 

aearccr ; *<^ tiMt n ftr»-, ".r »n ••nirr|, ■ . ittut 

•houhltnk ■' i .- . K , ,, ^^,_„K, woald 

jiii*lanr1> iMjiblv. 

• " Til' ! no the tiatlttttera* 



>n of »urli a work, to Uie ktylc and 
iicknowltdg'cd pvrformaBcca besr ntH 

t U wDukl tie unjjuit to mention thia manuvrript Fla|r, 
wilboQt notlrtng, Mt Ihe Minv titne* tht •IHtkluE contrtal 



%ibidt lh» ciuhlui^t 

Hith that of tho#e all 

Wlrch," fn»iii the - 

Utvrary e«iriit»i(y *>* Ihi 

it at hif oHTi eipcnACt jiuI, n»ib .■ 

move ■dft)jir(«r« thjin iniitati>r«, |l^> 

copietainoDg hii frteada. It i« thu- 

Oifac^idejil. 



\j, 



Hrrdj. foima 
•fv. " The 
'Wt wa» a 



^n^ 



INTRODUCTION 



%nt 



t*«otb fear of bb «|9. md probably bid noit \«h 

«ud)onty for h» aswrtion ; but u he do«t not 
UftJillv vrrite at nmdom. it is entiili^d to nciiire. In 
A^, 1 1 r •strej)© I, of that plaVr ia which llie clovrn 
1^ churcb-book on tbe ag« of bis wife, the 
, aod commenu upon it tb«« i — " Agitb«, 
U*4» d*u|cla«r of Pollux, bora in mo. 1540, &nd how 
*tu 1599.'^ Thfl observfttioQ of Sreerens is, pro- 
b«bly, founded upon tbii passage (at teaat I am 
mwmn of no otber), and it will not, perfaapa, be aaay 
to conjecture why tbe autbon aboald fix upon tbiis 
particular jear, unleaa it really w«re the curreot 
oa«. It ii to no purpose to objt^ct that the scene is 
laid in a distant countr}', and the period of action 
ii«*cB$!^arily remote, for the dramatic writers of those 
t unded all climea and all ag«a with a fa- 
wonderfuL On tbe whole, I am iooUned 
If tbe greftter part of " Tbe Old l,aw" to 

k^lhJdlefon and Rowley: it baa not many cbunic- 

l|pn*tic tmifs of Masainger. and tbe style, with tbe 
iacepttoo of a few places, which are pointed out by 

tVr. Ireland, it Tery unlike tbat of hia acknowledged 

lliiifcea, 

I f I ia by no meaos improbable tbat Majsinger, an 

fintbor in high rapoltf waa employed by tbe actora 
to alter or to add a few icenej to a popular dTama* 
~ tbit hia pre ten lions to tbis partnertbip of wit 
irere thus reeogniMd and eatsbtbhed, A proeeaa 

|1ik« this WW coniooajit to the maoaers of the age, 
wben tbe playera» who were usually the proprietora, 
exerted, and oot unfrequently abused, the pnrilege 
of interlarding aucb pieces as were once ir» vogue, 
from Ltme to time, with new matter*. Wbo will 
say tljAt ^hakipeare'e claims to mnny dramas wbicb 
furmerly paued uuder hia name, and probubly with 
no intent, on tbe part of tbe puhli&hers. to deceive, 
b«d not this or a auniUr foundation i 

What has been said of '*The Virgin Martyr," 
■pnliea with eqo&l, perhaps with greater force, to 
'• 'llie Unnatural Combat" and *' The Duke of 
Milan," of which the style is easy. Tigorous, and 
barmonious, bespeaking a confirmed habit of com* 
position, and serving, with tbe rest, to prove that 
Masaincer began to write for the stage at an earlier 
period than bas been hitherto supposed. 

Ma»singbr appears for the first time m the ofl)ce- 
book of the Alasterof the Rerels, Dec. 3, I6'i5^ on 
wbicb day his play of " Tbe Boodmnn** wait brought 
forward. About this time, too^ he printed " 1 be 
fluke of Mits»,'* with a short deiiicaUon to Lady 
Kaihitntie Stanbopef ; in which he speaks with 



A *""> cnrj.iu' ti<«t*hC< i'flhi" 



cntn In il^ OfIl<-fr*BcMtk 
litT tbe addini of « 
rhli 7 lb iif Jol>, IA/4, 

I rfiM>»th bffyri? 
■rnff Mrlilch WjIi 

' .Tf'jieiU in the 



tM «« Ihr JOJIM Jirpi.hit!!,. 



^^^«.M 'iftf Stanhopf ;] H«it|^titcT 0I Frsnrlf Lord 

nMff^n;^*. »'U rir«i wife of I'MUp KtJU»b«p«;, Unttsifi of Sbcl- 
'fdrrlf and sitoniimla <161») EatI of CJbeslrrfldd, a nobleinui 

• TbU wai Sir Heary*# fe*; for UiU mean aud rapacUiot 
e>v«>*e«f aol oal| iiMi«(td oo b«iDt P'id for «llovirliif a ucw 
Pi«l . bet far t^mtj trUkiog Mklltioa wUcb mislit labscqtteutly 
b« wade ce IL 




pe«t modesty of his course of studiea , to wbloh he 
msinuates (what he more than oooe repeats in his 
subsequent publications), misfortune rather than 
choice had determined him. 

In 1624. be published **Tbe Bondman." and d»* 
dicat^d it to Philip Earl of Montgomery, whn heiug 

5 resent at the first repreeentation, ba^ ahown hit 
iacemment and good taate, by what tbe author 
ealls a liheral tuff'ragt 10 its favour. Philip wij the 
seeoad son of Henry Earl of Pembroke, the fnt^nd 
and palron of Aldssinger's father. At au early a^e 
he eame to court, and was distinguished by tbe par- 
titular favour of James I., who conferred the honour 
of knighthood upon him ; and, 00 his marriage* 
with La;dy Susan Vera;, daughter of Edward Karl 
of Oxford, and grand-daughter of William Lord 
Burleigh, gave bim lands to a considerable amount, 
and BooQ af^rwards created him a baron wad aa 
earlf 



of {f««if boiiodr aad virtoe. He oppovctl ib« bi;i;b camt 
liiv««nri«« nil he tHicovered tb*I ibc pu-tiUDeiit ^11^ -^ : ^ 
k-tirly a*ur^(tie on tb« prcrogstives of tb« i>tb«r bran 
lh« iUMv , when, dftcr an ineafecinal «tni£Klc to bnii 
IqIu conalltutUmd limit*, mod pr«*erv« praee, be J<4l.c.. ,„^ 
■nn !i or bLi royal inaiter. 8bvlh»nl, ibe aedt frum wtuch tte 
(IcrivrrJ bi* tlUr, wm ^omi in the coufllici. two t»f hkt •tm* 
rdl in battle, and bebim»vir iti^erctl a lon^e And i^vcic iif|. 
priMHioient; vH he prrMrrved bli loyally aud r*llb, aud died 
Bfbehad llvea, anblfmUhrd. 

* €M kUwarru^jif I Tin rr m skn account uf Ihb Diarrfuee^ 
ia a letter n-uin Sir \' n tu Mr. Winwuod, wlSeli 

la preaerved ia th< ,[,« uf bia Attmsirn, and 

wlikh, a* atfiirdinj!; < ^^ pietura of the fToaancss 

''' ! tt the c<.>U[tiL>l Jd,a]ea l.^may nnl b« uDWortbjr 

" On 81. Johii't day. ynn h»a ibc ntarri^^v uC 
S . I brrt and Ibe l*»f!y Su»aii fwrfufint^ aI V\ hife- 

bill, UUI4 all ibe bonuur cooM be done n. grfnt faviturilc. 
The rami vtum Krctt, aikd fur thittd>»y p«it un lb«' br»I brnw- 
rrir. The priiicv md tlukvof Huljt led tbv btide tocburch; 
Ibc qticpii rullowcd htrr fruin ibvncc, Th« kiuK gaix'e btr, 
and »hf t ill her It*:«i'» «nd triiikft?, britled and Lirinled il ao 
band.^onirly, ami limleed beratnc hcr«clf *o Wi^II, that Ihf king 
Mill, irbe ncrv unmarrk-d, be woatd oui ^{ve ber, bul keep 
bcr biuiuir. Tbe ui«rriji|[e dioscr wa» kvpt in the fre4t 
rbAiuber, ^bfte Ute priiui .ind (fn D.ikt i>i lliU^. ,uj.] die 
fnmt lord* and lad*- 1 

hadar oT Veolce v* 

and he bad place ih ..- 

took aol well. Bnl aTk r 'tinttn, lie «;■< .u liuU. | K t-rd 
bittiseU; fur being 1ifott||[bt into ibe ctoatt to retire Liuiteir, 
he waa then totferrd to vialk ool, bit *upp»r tiijthMrii^r,( „f. 
At nighli, tberi' ««« a tn^tk in tlic hull, wLi> li it 

aod fajjbiuii, wat 4uiulUe to the r>cc44ioii. T< 
ibt Earl of r«iDl>ri<kL<. tlit L<»id Willuhy, Sir - ■.*, 

KirTbum^ii Gertnain. Sir Rtibcrl C<iiy«'6tr Jrim Ln, Mr 
RichJird Freilon, and Sir Tbomaa Ba^cr There ina»n« 
•niMil lti>> ihfit iT}'4^h( t^f cbnins attd Jcrrclr, and many treat 
l«<Ji«f were 11. ■ by the tkiria, and were very well 

■erve«i, tb^i : ■ \i cut no belter. Tbe prrienta of 

pUtc and ufU 11 by t|jc Doblirmen were valncd 

at 2,A0i>l.; to»r uLit im<i> u imaiu> it a guod rn 1 n 

gin v( tbe kiiif't, of SmW. l>in^l, for the bti < 
Tlicy were l«Miy|.d iiD *\%v ro»n'-H cbiiiiib(.r, v* I 4, 

kit bi« •hirl .111 * ' ' 1 ' thcrri a rtvetitetnnfifi uc- 

turvt ibry >a< « u^hhI time la or npoD tbe 

b*-d„ chiiJif. >\ I , .No cereiDCNiy waa omlt- 

t' ' ■' ;' i.i>i i,ri«, nod gUive», iftldclj have 

<>r ibi' court, aod ai oivht Ihrie 
. raatioK od Ihf' bride't Icfl huM, 
^^.M, P.,M.> y.j ..vcrltit. /an. iOOft/' 

I Lad if Auian I err. J To tbit lad^y Juiiauo addreaacd ike 
puejco brfintdiifT 

*♦ Wf ■ .1, - .» -i "^ .« ^.>>. ,,^.ir,i,^i*-f did tbry tee 

£v < wodtd bet 

Oi I" 

A u-. . ^,- ~ ^-,..-1- : -.- ■ ike, ^piff' **iv. 

The d>w of ffraee U an clegatit aiul beiotlfat perlpbrasii fer 
ihe baptiainaJ (iirinkhnf. 

} B*yie*, afitr noUdog the favotin heaped on hinip ai re- 
corded by LartI Clarendue, peinLantly addt, *• Hut Clarendon, 

t There ii an alliiaioa tonne of those '* piftly aorceriea' 
ill the fp«ecb of MtriiUa« •' Otiardian,^ Act. til. Sc. H. 



«¥m 



IMRODUCTIQN. 



THU dedication, i^bioU is sensible, modest, nnd 
effecting, sprvei to proTB ibnt v« hatever ini;;ht be 
Ibis uatortunate ci re una stance which deprived the 
nutLor of the patrooage nnd protf^ctioa of tbe elder 
bninch of the Herberts, be did not imagiiie it to b« 
of II disgraceful nature ; or be would not, in tbe fuce 
of tlip public, have uppealed to bis connections 
with tbe fumily : at tbe same time^ it ls maniftirst 
that some catt8« of alieniition existed, otberwise lie 
would scBTcely b»?e overlooltpd so fair an opportu- 
nhy of Rlludinj? to tbe cbamcteristic generosity of 
ibe £arl of Pembroke, whom on ibis, ss ou awery 
Other occasion, he scrupalouslj forbears to name, 
or even to bint aL 

This dedication, which wm kindly received » led 
the way to a clos«r connection^ and n certnin de^eo 
of familiarily, for which, perhaps, the approbation 
■o openly expressed of ** Tbe Bondman/' might 
he designed by Montgomery its an overture ; at a 
•ubsequent period*, Mss^inger styles tbe earl bis 
'"most singular good lord and patron/^ and speaks 
«f tbe greatness of bia obligations : 

** mine being mora 

** Than they could owe. who since, or heretofore, 
" Have Inbour'd with exalted line* to raise 
" Brave piles, or mtlier pyrnmidHof prmo 
*' To Pembrokef. aod bis family/* 

What pecuniary advanUiges he derired from the 
protent address, cannot be known ; whatever ibey 
were, they did not precludt; tbe necessity of writing 
for the stage, which he continued to do with great 



ptrUnpfi, Aid not know the real c»q§c of Ijorrl flerben*« ad- 
vsnt i-'M}ctit. T^e b<-baviodr oftht Scnu on Jame«^» ■cctr-fikin 
Id lh« ihroDu of Engtivnd inai giiurRUy obnuAious ami itmcli 
reirnrcil. At a meciin^of Etii£li»ii and Scutch a,t a hurfee rjice 
near Croydon, a utidcko *iiiarftl nroat bvi'^txa Ihvtn, occ«- 
•lomcft by t Mr, Rjiu]M?y'> sTriking Philip Lord Herbert ia 
Ibr (wtt Mitb ■ «wUcli. Tlit' EngUih would have luadr It a 
iMtiondqumrrtl.im) Mr. John Pinclibeck rqde alK>ottbe f^rld 
witU ft d»^;gtt in hia liind» cry iiig, Let ui break our/tutt with 
ikmn here, and dine with thtm in Ltrnd^tn. But HerlMri not 
rciaiMluf It, tbe V,\n% wuj %u rtiantu-d Miib hU p«;4c«4bk di>- 
pcMllSoB, liiM hK made bim a knichr, a birnn^a vibronnt, and 
ui earl, U» on« day/" Ufe ^f Mam^nser, p. IHL Thla ij 
taken frum Oibum<uoocor tboae K^MalppIng talvaioiiKen Id 
which ibr times of Jamci ao pvaLly alKinndcO|» and wbv» w ith 
Weldoi». WilaoBi Peytott, Baadenon, lod otben, contributed 
to prupafale an loflnlte atunbfer nf MandaloBt aUirieit, which 
•h<i«l4 have h«cn letX wttb /DrficTi where moat of thciii perhap^^ 
bad births What reliance may be placed on them, in jieoeriil, 
la Auincietitly apparotit fn>m ih« aaaertlon of Oahomt*. The 
f*ct it, that Jlfrhert had long h«*n a kDishUand w*» DC^era 
vlKvMoL He WB« marriefi In ihe btr-iiinDiiiK vf iOOA (he was 
then Sir Phlllpii and created B;iriin Herbert of Shurlaort in 
Ihe tale of Shcppy, and Earl of Montgomery, June 4idli, ia 
the aartie year: and eo far were theae tltlcA fiom being the 
reward of wliat Ukb4>ri}e e4lU hla cowardice at Croydon^ thai 
Ihey were all coiiferkcd on him ivro yejira before that event 
look place. (>t.burne him>elr allowa that if Montpuuery had 
nut, by liU lorttearance. " Atitaehc-d the bliHid then ready to 
be »i)Ul, not only thai day* hiit uU tf^cr, m«*t have pru^ved 
fatal to the Scot** m> lonj; ai any had staid in KngUndt (he 
royal family excepted, which, iu rc»pect (u mnji-ity^or ihcir 
own aafety. thvy tnu»l have fpared, or the kingduin been 
left to the mlN^ry of veeing vo niuih hlix>4 laid out a a tbe 
trial of ao many crabbed lilleB would have reqnireti/' Tbe 
piret'entjuii of thcje horrors irii^^ht. In ac»tue rainda, have 
ralacd feeling* favimriibk to \he tcinpvraQcv of the yoiifid; 
carl; hot O^tMjrne, whOM^ objecl and whoac o(13cc wa4 ca- 
lamtiy^ coutrivea to convert it into a new accaiatlou ; " Ibay 
e«mUJ not be thcaeconiidcratioiia," hetaya, "that realraitied 
Herbert, wbo wanted leiture^ ao leva than capadty, to uae 
tbem, tboflgb J aid lo hia way by oihern E" 

Mf^nt^rt qf tCinff Jamet. 

* Oa the bia of hheldett auu^ who diol of the smaU- 
pot at Florence, Jan, tOftO. 

t Montf^mcry ttad now attcceedcd to tbe title and catatci 
of liU ekkr broOivr, wbodecca»ea April 10, tiUO 



industry, seldom producing lets than two new 
pieces annually. In 1<>^9, hts occasions, perhaps, 
mrain pres8iti|< upon him, he gaT«iothepr«3« ** Th© 
Henegado" nnd '* Tbe Roman Actor,** hotb of which 
had now been sereral years before the pubHo* The 
first of tbe*e he ioscnbed to Lord Berkeley in a short 
address composed with taste and elegance. He 
speaks writh some complacency of tbe merits of the 
pifK^e, but truiitB that be ah»ll hvm ** to render bia 
humble thanltfuIiieHS in AOtne bibber strain :*' this 
conlidence in his abilities, the pleaaiog coocooiitsat 
of true gcniuA, Tilssstn^er often felt and expressed* 
The latter play b^ pre&enleel to Sir Philip Knyvet 
and Sir I'bomas Jeay*. with a desire, as be says, 
tbnt the world might take notice of bis being in- 
debted to their support for power to oompoM the 
piece : he expatiiitee on tbt^ir kindness m w«rtii and 
ener[>etic language, and accounts for addressing 
" the most perfect birdi of bia ISIinerva" to themij, 
from their superior demands on bis Gj^ratitude, 

Little more than four years bitd elapsed since 
"Tbe llondman" was printed i in that period 
MassingfT had written seven plnys, nil of which, 
it is probable, were favourably received : it there- 
fore becomes a question, what were the emoluments 
derived from tbe stage wlucb c^uld thus leevea iMOpu- 
lar and successful writer to struggle with adreri»itr* 

There seem to have been two methoiis of clis- 
posiog of a new piece; tbe first, and perhnps the 
moat generalj was to tell the copy to one of the 
theatres ; the price cannot be exactly ascertained, 
but appears to have fluctuaii»d between ten and 
twenty pounds, seldom falliug ^borr of tbe former, 
and still more seldom, I believe, exceedin;^ the 
latter. In this case, tbe author could only print bis 
play by penaission of the proprietors, a farour 
which was somttime* granted to tbe necessities of ft 
faro n rite writer, and to none, perhaps, more fre- 
quently than to Alassinger. 1 be other method wme 
by offering it to the stage for tbe advantage of a 
benefit, which was commonly taken on tbe second 
or third night, aod which sefdom produced, there 
ia reason to suppose, tbe net sum of twenty pounds. 
There yet remain tbe profits of publication : Mr, 
M alone, from whose " Historical Account of the 
English Stage" (one of tbe must instructive essaya 
that ever appeared on the subject ), many of these 
notices are taken, says, that, in tbe time of Shak- 
apeare, the customary price was twenty nobles 
(6L 15s. 4d») ; if at a somewhat later period we fix 
it at thirty (lOL), we shall not, probablyi be far from 
tile truth* The usual dedication fee, which yet re- 
mains to be addtHl, was forty shillings : where anj 
connection subsisted betwen the parties, it wasdoobi- 
leas increased. 

We may be pretty confident, therefore, that Mai- 
ftinger seldom, if ever, received for his most stre- 
nuous and fortunate oxeriiuns more than fifW 
pouiKtii a-year; this, indeed ^ if regularly enjoyea, 
would be auSicient, with decent enconomy, to have 
preserved him from absolute want ; but nothing is 
better known than tbe precarious nature of dramelio 
writing. Some of his pieces might fiiil of success 
(indeed, we are assured that they actually did ao). 



• Sir TbtHnat Jeay wst hlmteir a ooel j aeverti eommend- 
•lory copies of vcraca by him are prettied to Mas<hiii]Eer'a 
Flayi. He call* tbe author hi» wurihy friend, and letvea 
man^ prooia ibat bU catrent waa foaoded cm Jud|snent, aud 
fala kiadiieei eaitdid atul alucere 



^Mb 




Dtght experieoce m "thin third day ;" and a 
r of cireumsrooc^a, not difficult to »xiumerate, 
bnte to dimmish the petty sum which we bare 
T«Mittii«d to &tate aa the maxitDum of the poet's re^ 
venoa, fiat could the benefit which he derived 
frwtt fbe prrsa be rerj ext^nsire, aa of the aeventeen 
drstatat tMiich make up his printed works (exclusire 
oTtba ** I'artkment of Lore," whieh dow appears 
§or the first titue). only twelve were publiahed dur- 
ing hit life^ and of these, two (" The Virgin- 
Mmnyf* aud *' The Fatal Dowry") were not wholly 
bis own. 

lo 1650 he printed " The Picture." which had 
m^pearcd on the stage the precediag rear. This 
bii^ waa warmly supported by many of the ** noble 
Socwty of the Inner Temple/* to whom it is ad- 
4rMa«l. Ibeee gentlemeD were so sensible of ihe 
cztraofdioanr meriu of this admimble per- 
JU iiiaiica, that they gare the author leave to par- 
'culahae their names at the bead of the dedicatioDp 
l»OQoyr which he declined, because, aa be mo* 
ves. and eridently with au allusion to 
oontempoTunes, he '• had rather enjoy 
' |iroofa of their friendship, thnn* mnun- 
tilMBlt^li^ bout their numbers in a catalogue.*' 

Is 1651 Massio^r appeara to have been tinu* 
•bbIIj tntlDsrrioos, for he brought forward three 
p%tCK» in little more than as many months. Two of 
thm^, ** Believe aa you List," and " Ilia Unfortti- 
VUm Piely,** are lost ; the third is *' The Emperor of 
tiM Eaat/* which was published in the following 
ffmFp Kod iDicribed to Lord Mohuo, who was so 
■loeh pleased with the perusal of the author's 
nted works, that be commissioned his nephew, 
Kr Aston Cockayne*, lo express his high opinion 
f tbem, and lo present tlie writer " with a token of 
' i love and intended laTOiiT/^ 
' Tba Fata] Dowry" was printed in 163S. I 
I anppoaed ihLa to be tbe pUy which is men- 
aboTe by the name of ** J he i'n fortunate 
"* as it does not appear under its present title 
hi tbe office-book of Sir Henry Herbert ; but 1 now 
Mieve it to hare been written previously to 16'id. 
Hia coadjutor in tbia play was Nathaniel I'ield, of 
whom 1 can gire tbe reader but little cccoont. Hia 
name ataoda at the bead of tbe principal come* 
dians who performed " Cjntbia'a nereis/' and he 
miomtA with Htmioge, Condell, Burbudge, and 
■wm, m lb* prvfkee to the fotio edition of Shek- 
PH. Ha srait alio tbe author of two comedies, 
'"A Woman ta a Weathercock," J6lt, and 
* Amttoda lor Ladies/* 1618. Mr. Heed, however^ 
I the writer of these plays, the asAistunt 
f in ** The Fatal Dowry," to be a dia- 
tact Ptsntm from the actor above mentioned, and 
*m Kath* Field, M. A., Fellow of New ColK. who 
ionma Latin rersea printed in Onm, Acadtmia^ 
)tUm^ I6fd, and wlio, being of tbe aame uni* 



bljr piKe iti wtiicli M«*i>in|err ni^kei any 
' kuon,*bu wm not \em ilrUi;Mr4 wlU» '*Tlic 

I br ir'orthjf 

. thiit h« 

' refurtl 
V proolf. 

-- .-- , ...j.jlic, and 

ivtft t*ke uiH»n myfcif 

-►ogilienrd !h«lr nin- 

.,.^^- i — ^-i ihuik if aJu>geU»(ir im- 




versity with Massijigpr, might there join with bim 
in the compoiition of the play ascribed to tbem*/* 
It is seldom aafe to differ from Mr. Heed on Bub- 
Jecta of this nature, yet f still incline to think that 
Field the actor was the person meant. I'here ia 
no autbonty for suppoaing that Mtissinger wrote 
play a at college j ana if there were it in not lliely 
that " The Fatal Dowry" ahould be one of them, liui 
Mr, Reed's chief reason for his assertion is, that no 
contemporary author speaks of Field as a writer: 
this argument, in the refutation of which I can 
claim no merit, la now cotnpletely disproved by the 
discovery of the letter to Mr. Henslowe. Mr*Ma- 
lone, too, ihinka that the person who wrote the two 
comedies here mentioned, and assisted Ma>sioger, 
could not be Field the actor, since the £rat of them 
was printed in 1612^, at which time he must have 
been a youth, having performed a* one of the chil- 
dren of the reveU in, Jonson's " Silent Woman," 
]t>09t« I know not to what age these children were 
confined, but Bark>»tead, who was one of them, and 
who, from his situation in the list, was probably 
younger than Field, publialjed, in iGll, a poem 
called " lliren ( Irene) ilie Fair Greek," consisting 
of 114 stanzas, which is ^et earlier ihnn the date of 
** Woman's a Weathercocfe," 

Mr, Malone conjectures that the affecting letter 
(p. XV.) was written between 1612 and Ibl 5 : if we 
take the latest period, Field will be then not fur 
from his twenty-eighth year, a period stiffiriently 
advanced for tbe production of any work of fancy, 
1 have sometimes felt a pang at imagining tbut the 
play on which they were then engaged, and for 
which they f^licit a trifiing advance in such moving 
lerms, was " The Fatal Dowry," one of the noblest 
compositions that ever graced the English stage f 
Even thoui^rh it should not be so, it is yet tmpoasible 
to be una^ected, when we consider ih&t thoae who 
actually did produce it were in danger of perishing 
in gaol for wont of a loan of live pounds ! 

In the following year, Maasinger brought forward 
'' The (Jit? Madam," As this play was undoubtedly 
dispose<l of to f be performers, it remained in manu- 
script till ihe distress brought on the stage by the 
per^ecutjon of the Puritans, induced them to com- 
mit it to the press. The person to whom we are in* 
debted fof its appearance was Andrew Fennycuicke, 
an actor of some note. In the dedication to the 
Countess of Oxford^t be obserres, with a spirited 
reference lo the restrictions then laid on the drama, 
" In that age, when ttit and ttnming were mU coh- 
qutred by injury and Mitttnce^ this poem waa tlie ob* 
ject of love and commendations :" he then adda, 
*• ihe encouragement 1 had to prefer this dedication 
to your powerful protection, proceeds from tbe tini- 
veraal fame of the deceased author^, who (although 



• Old Play*. Vol. %IL* p, 350. 

t It had prubably (*iicapcd Mr. Malooe^fl obtervaUati, that 
PieW appear » ai rbe principaJ perforini'f In " Cynthia** Re- 
«tU," acicf! ill ISM or ItKNi. H« coiild nut ihen bavtr well 
been leat than twelve jvam olil, and, «i the time mt* ttlkoni;*! 
by Mr. Mnlnii«, aa tew early for tb« pnidnrilDn of hii Arat 
play, mnit have t»e«Ji lamed of one aiidtMreniy. 

t Countfn qf OxfordtAt^] Ana, first wlf« of Anbrcy de 
Vere, twcnlicih and la«l Earl of Oaford. She waa adikuiL 
rt'liifi(»ni of the Pembroke iTaJiiUy. 

i The d*c^*tmdaut/urr,] " The City Madam*' was prtalcd 
in 10511. ThU tnflicientty prove* the abatirdhj of the «o- 
count Ki*«J ^y I'ai'KbAine, Jacob. Wliiocop, sad Clbber. 
who cuDciir io piaciiijc hit death in tMij and wh«, ccr- 
tuDly, never perused hit wtirka with any altcDiLoat aof U 



5 



XJf 



INTRODUCTION. 



be oompoS'id mitny) wrote none amisB, and thia may 
justly be rarjked Hniotig^ bis best." Pennvcuicie 
tnit^fbt hiivp |jrrne furtlier; but thia little address is 
gtitb riant to ftbovt? in nrhai estimatioa the poet wa« 
b«Ui by hit '* fellowt." He hud now been dead 
niiieteen y^ar*. 

About IbtA time too (ItJSf), Massingcr printed 
"Tbe Maid of Honour," with a dedicatioo to Sir 
FmDcia Foljnmbo** and Sir Thomas BUnd, which 
cannot be rt'tkd without sorrow. He obsenres, that 
tbe«0 gi^nrleiDen, who apf^ear to have been engaged 
iu na amicable auit at law, bod contintied for umny 
yewA the patrons of him and bis deapised atudiea» 
and he caUs u|>on the world to take notice^ as from 
himself, that he hmj nut U^ tlutt time stihnsled.hut that 
he was supported by their fret|ueiit courte«4ea aod 
i^vouri. 

It is Qot improbable, however, thtt be wts now 
labouring under the pressure of more than u^unl 
Want ; as the failure of two of his playa bad danipi?d 
his spirits, and materially checked the prosecution 
of his dramatic studies. No account of the unsuc- 
eesaful pieces ta come down to ua i their names do 
Dot occur in the Office-book of Sir H* Herbert, nor 
ahould we hare known the circumstance, had not 
the author, with a modesty which ahnnips some of bi« 
coatetnpornriea, and a deference to the judgment of 
the Dub]io, which becomes all who write for it, re- 
corded the fact in tbe prologue to " The Guanlian." 
I'o this, probably, we owe the publication of ■* A 
New Way to Pay Old Debta," which was now first 
printed with a sensible and manly address to the 
Earl of CdernarvoOf who had marrit^d Lady Sophia 
Herbert, the sister of his patron, Phdip Eurl t»f 
Pembroke aod Montgomery. " I wsh bom,'" be 
eny«, '* a deroted aervnot to the thrice noble family 
01 your inoomparable lady, and am moat ambitioua, 
but with a becoming distance, to be known to your 
lordship." All Massinger's patrons aiii»;jir to be 
p<^rj>ans of worth and emiueoce. Phihp had not, 
at tliis time, tarnished the name of Pembroke by in- 
grutituJe, and the Earl of Caernarvon was a man 
of unimpeachable honour and integrity. He fol- 
lowed the declining fortunes of his roval master, 
and fell at Newbury, whi^re he commancled the ca- 
valry, after defeating that port ot tbe parliamentary 
army to which he was opposed. In bis last mo- 
menta, says Fuller, as be lay on the field, a noble- 
man of tbe royal party deiiu^ed to know if he hud 
any request to mnke to the king, to whom bs was 
dc«i*rvedly dear, comfortiug bim with the asaurance 
tliot it would be reitdily granted. His reply was 
such as became a hmve and conscientiuu^ soldier ; 
I will not die with a suit in my mouth, but to tbe 
king of kings ! 

Flattered by Ibe fncceas of " The Gaardlan/' 
which was licensed on the 3lat of October, 16SS, 
JMa^iiiinger exerted himself with unusual energy, and 
produced tbre« plays before tbe oxpinition of the 
tytlowiijg year. One of tbetn, the delightful comedy 



flut itt Clietwotid more ntioajil, wlioaueria tlijt be died in 
1099, «lnce lib rpUiph ii prlnicil «iiimi>c Uie po«uii i*t Sir 
jittan GiM:k«>De, wtikh wcfr i^wbliibvil Lu KlSd, aod 
i«rlttin madi varticr, ll b, llKTefurc, wofic than • wxtic 
ot Ihiiv to rvpcjt from buok tu book »q<Ii pal|ial»ti!i 
■rroii. 

• Sir FraneiJt F»fjamt>*f &c,] I natpccl Hut Sk Prm»el« 
WM «b» « C^ihc^lk, From tti« brief account n( tbb Mttciviit 
rtmU> M^bich ii ^Uvn \q LamIkl-'i " llliifltmtloa!!,** Ibpy up- 
pvhi ii> hiive iiHl>r4!<t te\vrt\y tin Arcouat of ib«ir rcUstooi, 
tu wbich tbt-y were M*liiU»ly alUclicd. 



of " A Very Woman/' is come down to tie: of tbe 

others, nothing is known but the names, which are 
registered by the Master of tbe Keyels. In 165.7, 
It does not appear that he brought any thing forward ; 
but in lti36, he wrote " The Bashful l^ver." aod 
printed '* The Greet Dtike of Florence," wbich bad 
now been many years on iLe itage, with a dedlco' 
tion to Sir Robert Wiseman, of Tborrells Hall, in 
Essex. lo this, which is merely expressive of hia 
gratitude for a long continuation of kindae», he ac- 
knowledges, "'and with a lealuus thankfulness, that, 
for many years, he had but fuintly subsiatf^d. if he 
had not ofteu lasted of his bounty/' In thia pr»> 
c^irioua state of dependence piisaed the life of a man 
who is charged with no want of industry, suspected 
of no extravagance, and whose works were, at that 
very period, the boost and delight of the stage ! 

*' 1'he Bashful Lover" is the latest play of Mas- 
atnger'^s wTitiug which we possess, but there were 
three otljers posterior to it, of which the last, '* The 
Auchoresft of Pausilippo, was ftcted Jan. !£6, 1610, 
about sis weeks before his deelh. Previous to this, 
he sent to the press one of hia early plays, "'The 
Unnaturail Combat." which he inscribed to Anthony 
Sentlegor (whose father, Sir Wareham, had b»»en hia 
particuiur admirer), being, as he says, umbitious to 
publicih Ids many favours to ibe world. It h pleasant 
to find the author, at the close of his blamt^le^s life, 
avowing, aa he here daen^ with nn amiable modesty, 
that the noble and eminent ]>ersons to whom hia 
former works were dedicated, did not tliink them- 
selves disparaged by being '* celebratc<d aa the pa- 
trons of bis humble studies, in the first lite of 
which," he contines *^ I am amjidfnt you shall bav« 
DO eauaa to bluab to find 3'our name written." 

Mftsainger died on the 1 7th of March, 1640. He 
went to bed in good health, says Langbaine, and 
was found dead in tbe morning in his own bouse on 
the Qankd^ide. He was buried In tbe churchyard of 
St. Saviour^a, and tbe comedians paid the lost sad 
duty to his name, by attending bim to tbe grave. 

I't does not appear, from the atrictest search, that 
a stone, or inacnption of any kind, marked the place 
where his dust was deposited : even tbe memoriol 
of his mortality is given with a pathtitic brevity, 
which accords but too well with the obscure and 
humble passages of his life : '* March 20, lt}J9-40, 
buried Philip Maaaioger, a stranger!" No flowers 
were flung into bis grave, no etegies ** soothed bia 
hovering spirit,^' and of all the admirers of bis taU 
enta and his worth, none but Sir Aston Cockayne, 
dedicated a line to hi^i memory. It would be an 
abuse of lunguago to honour any composition of Sir 
Aston with the name ol poetry, but the steodineaa 
of his regard for Miis.iiiiigt)r may be justly praised. 
In that collection of doggrel rhymes, which I have 
already mentioned, (p. xv,) there is *' au epitaph on 
Mr. John Fletcher, and Mr. Philip Massinger, who 
tie bulb buried in one grave in St. Mary Qtery's 
church, in Southwark : 

** In the some grave was Fletcher buried, here 
Lies tbe ata^e-poet Philip Massinger ; 
Plays tht«y did write together, were great friends, 
And now one grave iticludes them in their ends. 
I'o whom on earth nothing could part, beneath 
Here in their ftime they lie, in apight of death." 

It is aarely somewhat singular that of a man of 
iuoh emioence, nothing ahould be known. What [ 
have presumed to gire, is merely the hiatory of the 



(if e ippearflnce of Lis worlcs ; and I sm «ware 
► ftource from whence aoy additiooal informiitioni 
^MA In! derived ; no anecdotes are recorded of bim 
hf bii conretnpomriei, few caaua) imintioiis of hia 
■tiiM» occur io the writinj^s of the time, and ii« bad 
itot ihe ^h1 fortune which Attended many of Ie«a 
enineac«, to titract attention at the Teiriral of dra- 
matie literature from the deathlike torpor of the la- 
•mneignam*. But though we are ig:norant of every 
circumstance reapecting Mwaing^ert hut thai be lived 
and diedf, we may jet form to oarstflves aome idea 
of bia pQTMnal character from the incidental hinta 
■cattirr«d through bia worka. Io what tight he wfta 
regmrdcd may be collected from tlie recommendatory 

I pocoDa prefi led to hia aeveral plays, in i/«bich the 
MAgimge of bis panegyrista^ though wurm, expresses 

I I an «tli«bmeat appmrently derived not so much from 

Ibis takqoktA aa hia rinoea ; he ii^ as Davi^ has oh' 
t aflnned; their kelmmif much-etteemftlt dettrt uan-ihtft 
I dgmningt ktmimndt kng kntmin, and Umg ioved/riend^ 
I 6ce.« Ac. All tbe writers of bia life unite in repre- 
iaocio^ bim aa a man o( aingular modeaty, geotle- 
I IMS*, oaiidoiir.aad aflability ; nor does it app«ir that 
' b« «««r made or fonnd an enemy. He apeaks^ indeed, 
I of opponents on the stage, hut tbe conteniion of 
, rival candidates for popular favour must not be con> 
i' 'iMiled with personal hostility. With all this, 
; > << i^ver, be appeera to have maintained a constant 
^gMH^le with adrertity ; since not only the atage, 
HHjKrhicii, perhaps » hiA natural reserve prevented 
B^^B^m deriving tbe usual advantages, but even 
'^ the bounty of hia narticular friends, on which he 
chiefly relied, left him in aatate of absolute depend- 
' wiocu Jonaon. Fletcher, Shirley, and oihers, not 
aiiperiur to bim in ahiliiiea. bad their periods of good 
fartuoe, their bngfatj as welt as their stormy hours i 
I kat Mtaaiftger seema to have enjoyed no gleam of 
I jMMiahine , Lis life was all one wintry day, and 

** abadows, clouds, and darkness/' rested upon it. 
• Davioa finds a servility in hi* dedications which 
I have not been able to discover ; tbey are princi- 
I patty characieriaed by gratitude und humility. without 
a single trait of that groea and servile adulation 
which diatioguisbea and disgraces the addresaes 
of MMne of bis contemporariea* That he did not 
' bia misery, hia editors sppeur inclined to 
I among bis fuults; he bore it, however, witb- 
Itopatience, and we only bear of it when it is 
^IteTed, Poverty made him no flatterer, and» what 
i adn more imre^ do maligner of the grtmt i nor is 
one sjmptom of eory ouinifested in any pmt of bis 
coin positions. 

His principles of patriotism appi^nr irreprehen- 
fible » tbe ejxtravagant juid slavish doctrines which 
are foond in the dramas of his great couteoiporaries, 
Dske no part of bia creed, in which the warmest 
loyattj ia akilfullv combined with just and rational 
of political freettom* Nor is this the only 
Hditince in which the rectitude of hia mind is ap 
nt ; the writers of his day abound in rccom* 
datioos of suicide j be is uniform in the repre- 

I we tbidt hottiktter mcniltui. Even in 

1 fale par»«ed bira, and he wu Hang 

L j!y, llul bit tpoili oiigkil bv worn wilbout 

»it«ly to be lamented tlt^t Sir A*tim Cock vane, 

i.tirii hi:* k'iiurr \n WPtiiaritHi out dntl p^ro»c 

<>1 not employed a part at il ia 

i the dramatic poiU, v,ilh wbooi 

I, 4 (id wlioua be profcide» to mncl) 




hens ion of it, with a single exception, to which, 
f>erh«ip^, be was led by the peculiar turn of bia 
studies*. Guilt of every kiod is tisually left to the 
Duni^hment of divine justice : even the wretched 
iVIalefort excuses himself to bis son on bis super* i 
oattinil appearance, becsttse the latter was not marktd I 
out hu heaven for bis mother*s avenger; and the ! 
young, tbe brave, the pious Cbaratois accounts bis 
death fallen upon him by tbe will of heaven, be- 
cause **ht matlt himMif ajudgt in his PtVH eauBt." 

Bnt tbe great, the glorious distinction of Mas- 
singer, ia tbe uniform respect with which he treats 
religion and its mtnisten, in an age when it was 
found necessary to add regulation to regulation, to 
slop tbe growth of impiety on tbe slage« No pnesta 
are tntroauced by bim, " to sec on aome quantity of 
barren spectators*' to laugh at their licentious foU 
ties^ the sacred name is not lightly invoked, nor 
daringly sported with ; nor ia Scripture |>rofaned by 
buffoon allusions lavishly pat into the moutba of 
fools and women. 

To this brief and desultory dcV < f his 

mind, it may be expected that somt^^ I l»ere 

be added of bis talents for dramiiii. . .-^ ,»ition; 
but this is happily rendered unnecessary* The 
kindness of Dr. rerriar bas allowed me to annex to 
this introduction tbe elegant and ingenious '* Esssy 
on niasainger/* first printed in the third volume of 
the ■* Manchester Transactions ;" and I shall pre- 
sently have to notice, in a more particular manner, 
the value of the assistance which bss been expresiily 
given to me for this work. These, if I do not de* 
ceive myielf, leave little or nothing to be desired on 
the peculiar qualities, the excellencies, and defects^ 
of this much neglected and much injured writer, 

Mr. M. Mason bas remarked the general har< 
mony of bis numbers, in which, indeed, Msssijiger 
stJinds unrivalled. He setms, however, inclined to 
make a partial exception in favour of Shak£^>tare ; 
hut I cannot admit of its propriety. The claims of 
tins great poet €n the admir&tioD of mankind are 
innumerable, but rhythmical modulation is not oue 
of tbem, nor do 1 tliink it either wise or just to hold 
him fonh aa aupereminent in ever^- quality which 
cnnatitutes genius, Beaumont ts as sublime^ 
Fletcher as pathetic, and Jonaon as nervous : — nor 
let it be accounted poor or niggard praise, to allow 
him only an equality with tlieae extraordinary men 
tn their peculiar excellencies, while be is adrnittt^d 
to possess many otlierSj to which they make no ap- 
proaches. Indeed, if I were asked for the dis- 
criminating quality of Sbakspeare'a mind, that by 
which he is raised above all competition, abovi^ nil 
prospect of rivalry, I should say it was wit. To 
wit Ma:§isinger has no pretensions, though he ia not 
without a considerable portion of humour ; in which, 
however, he is surpassed by Retciier, whose atvle 
heurs some aifinity to his own ; there is, indet'if, n 
morbid &ot\nesa in the poetry of tJie latter, whith is 
not visible in the flowing sod vigorous metre of 
Massinger, but the general manner is not unliket. 



•See "Tlie Dokc of MOao-" The frequent vlolaitoti of 
(vmaW chumitv, ^hkh tiwk pUce tm ihtlr rnptlun of 
tbe barbarlAfH "into Jlnly. gave rise to many eurlou> di»» 
qu'»«iiion> mnoDK Ihc faitb<rft «t Uif chunli, rftDcctimc 
tbe degree nf guiU incurrv*! U\ preveniiuf »t by ««]r mur- 
der. Miiiiiugt-r huti the*e. pn>)»tib1y, in Ida iboui^hfi. 

t Tliete iJi yet a pt'tnAimtliY wbkli il may b« proppr to 
aoticr. At il codtrlbawk In a ili|bt Ucgree to tkc llueucj^ ot 



INTRODUCTION. 



Witli Massing^r termiDited the triumph of dra- 
mftiic poetry ; indefsd^the stiige il&eif aurriv^ him 
but ft short tinKf, The nation wm* convulaed to 
iU centre by contending fai-tiona, and a 8«t of 
tuatere and gloomy faaflttcs^ eucniiea to erery ele* 
gfttit aJDuaement, and every social relaxation, rose 
upon the ruins of the ilaie. Exasjwmted by tlie 
ridicule wiib which thi?v had long bevn covered 1>y 
tlie Alngv^ they perflecuted the actora with unrelent- 
ing aeventy, and coniigned them, together with the 
writers, to hopeteaa obseurity and wretchednesa. 
Taylor died in the extreme of poverty, Shirley 
opeaed a little icbool, and Lowin, the booat of the 
stage, kept an alehouse at Brsniford ; 

Balneolum Gabm,fum0t ecndueen R^ma 
Teniarunt / -- 

Others, and those the far greater number, joined tbe 
royal standard, and exerted themselves with more 
gfiillaTitry than good fortune in the service of their 
old and indulgent master. 

\V> have not yet, perhaps, fully estimated, and 
certainly not yet fully recovered, what was lost in 
tbttt unfortunate struggle. The arts were rapidly 
advancing' to perfection under the fotitering wing of 
a monarch who united in himself Uiste to feelj spirit 
to uiiderUke. and munitice&ce to reward. Archi- 
tecture, painting, and poetry, were by tunis the ob- 
jects of his patif'rnal care. Sbakspeare was his 
** closet companion/'^ Joqsod hia poet^ end io con- 
junction with Inigo JoneSf his favoured architect, 
produced tliose magnificent entertainments which, 
though modem refinement may afiect to deispise 



M*niti{tfr*i itylc^ it h, the reiolntfon of his word* CitadI 
prlncipJilly of xhntc ^hicb ar« dcHvrd from th« Lnijii 
tlirrai^n iji« mnJlum of the Frcncli) into tliclr cumpi^Dent 
•^tinbki. ytiiumis, partial, maiion, &c,, Ac , be iisniillly 
nmlie* d4Ct>tB {if U be i»ut pe^l^iitk to apply ivnm Jf 
meaitire tu a lanEitJirii- teqoainivd unly with ^cci nt), poising 
uvrr Ihi' lael t\*v »yM;«l»lr» w^tfi a gi'orle bnt dit^liiiri man- 
clatlun. Ttili pr«(!lke,itii<tt;c4Jt ti iH'C]i»ional]ly adopttNl by all 
the writt'i> of ttlB Unte, but lii MjM'iiiger It U rreqnvut un4 
tiabttnaU Thit »iii|£al4rity may ilighrtv tmbairuM the render 
St fit%U ^*>t <^ l^ttJc 4<r|iMiMi«nce vf\l\ «how \ia advantage*, 
and rrnder tt f\M i>tAy t:n*y i»nt Jrlightrnl* 

♦ IJit "Chut Compttniint,"] MHnm, and certainly wiib 
DO tynipluiii9 of di»ii(jprubalion^ menlicvni, » a fad univtrr- 
tatty ktiuwn. tlii! fumla>CB^» of the Mttfurtuttnte Charlea fur 
ih* ptnyn or 8h«l(vp4-«rf! ; Mnd ft aLpptMra. from llvMt curlotii 
n^irtJoiiHrii cullvcivit from 8ir Henry Herbert, by Mr. Mn- 
finnr, thitt hti «ttachmctit to tikc ilrAina, and bl» Hn^iciy for 
lia ptffertion, bctjau with his reign. The pM of** The 
fiam«iiter/' one of thf b^ct of Shirley 't piecei, wai %\veo 
U* him by the kiu^ ; aii'l thrrs ii an «nrrt]i«>te reconled by 
tbe Mauler of tbv Rivtt». wiiitrh thoivi that l>e uaa not iiui- 
trUlive tn the fliicci-M i<f Ma»»iij.|;er. 

"At Cfe*n»lcb *hl* I uf June f«038), Mr. W. Mumy 
five nire |M»»»'r fmni the Wlnjj lo «lkiw of " Thr King aud 
U»e Siibjeet," iud tould iuv« that be wonhl warrant it : 

*♦ * Moni«» I We'll raifte tnppllei what way we pleaiCi 
And tofce yon to iinb«erib« Id blmikp, in «*hich 
Welt innlct yon » wr Khull thtnk 1\u The Caesar* 

Io R '^*i>- wLmv ,1. Utii.\il»i]|;in|{ no lawi 

Dmt ',, til* wivea 

Atiii vfluglo 

TlMTll , 

"Tbl» U a peece Ukeb oat of Plutvp Mefachfer't play 
called *Th<* King and the Subjert," and eolered lierv for 
e»er lo bee rewn^mbered by my ton and tboae that caat 
tbetr eyei on It^ in boooar of Klnic Cbarkt, mv mmstet, 
who tei'j liter i'vcr (he play at Ncwmarkel,, tet ftii marke 
DP' vvitb bit own Iuui4c, and ia theie worla : — 

' J '■ifftt, mul lo Aw eAMivarf.* 

'lit poet makea It tbe tpMcl) of a klof^p Don 
Pedro Qi Sp^yuCi and tpokeu to bia •abjceu." 



Them, modem splendour oerer rMobed ttT«Q io 
thrtug-ht*, 

1'hat the tyranny of the commonwealth should 
sweep till this away, waa to be expected : ibe cir- 
cumstance not leas to be wondered at than regretted 
li, that when the revival of monarchy alfurtied an 
opportunity for reutoring every thing to ita prtatine 
place, DO adranta^e should be taken of it. Such, 
however, waa the horror created in the general 
mind, by the perverae and unsocial goremment from 
which they bad »o fbrtuoately escaped, ibat tlie 
people appear to bare anxiously uvoidvd all retro- 
spect ; and with Prynne and Vicars, to have lost 
light of SboJfspetire and ** hia feliowa." Instead, 
therefore, of taking up dramatic poetry (for to thia 
my subject confines me) where it abruptly ceased iu 
the labours of Massingor, thev elicited, as it were, a 
manner of their own, or fetched it from the beat y 
monotony of their continental neigbboars. Tbe 
esse, the elegance, the simplicity, the copioumesa of 
the former period, were as if they bad never been ; 
and jangltnc: and blustering declamation took pine* 
of nature, truth, and sense. £iren crittciam, which. 
in the former reigo, bad been making no ioconsi- 
demhie progress under tlie inilueace and diret^tioo 
of the great masters of Italy, was now diverted into 
a new channel, and only studied in the puny and 
jejune canons of their unwortliy follow era, tbe 
French* 

the Heslomtion did little for Massinger ; tltis, 
however, will tbe less surprjse us, when we &nd 
that he but ahareil the fortune of o greater name. It 
appears from a list of revived plays preserved by 
Downes tbe prompter, that of twentip'-one, two 
onlyt were written by Sbakspeare t •• The Bond- 
man," and '* The Roman Actor," were at length 
brought forward by Betterton, who probably coo- 
ceived them to be favourable to his fine powers of 
declamation. We are told by Downes, that be 
gained *' great applause" in tbem : bis success, 
however, did not incite him to the revival of the 
reat, though lie mi^^ht have found among the num- 
ber ample scope for the display of his highest 
tiiWnts. 1 can find but iwo more of Mas^ir^ger's 
plays which were octed in the period immediately 
following tbe Reiloration, '* Tbe Virgin -Martyr, ' 
and '*The Renegado:" 1 have, indeed, aomo idea 
that " The Old Law" should be added to the scanty 
list t but havmg mislaid my memorandumSf I can- 
not affirm it. 

The time, however^ arrived, when he was to be 
remembered. Nicholaa Rowe, a man gifted by na- 
ture with taste aod feeling, dii^gustcd at tbe tumid 
vapidity of his own times, turned bis attention Co 
tbe poets of a former age, and, among the reat^ to 

•That the emhibltion of 1liu#e mattia w«? .».i^...i.,i .%ttb , 
coQtfdcral'le degree of e\pt-tii« caimc^t b* I'N ft 

qftetlion rnay Ik< iTifxtrBdy atiirtrd. *M'helher II ' <nU 

inl|i,bt not have twtn *» rationally aiid *■ cu... ;. — I onl 

cm one of them at TlbbalU'*, Altb€ipe,iir Lndiow CaeUe* ai 
(m s baikel *4 nnrH* fruit i 

But wr are- f«llrij Uu\tt^[ t lite fi»(iv«l nf the l.«.i t>t» ^i 
ll>» H*Th prv«i-nietl in upiKtrtiinilj f'-r a m.i»k ■; 
lo the tMbject, in wl^ich Ukle ilioirM huve iinlteil ^ 
denr. H'hoae tJticJitP were ctnploycd on tlif ^. .. 
caimn I rjiDiaot pretend lo uy^ bitl ntinredly lUe Ire- 
qaenteia of Bailbi>iomew fair ^cte nrvcr invited to » vite 
and tcnjieleaa an evbibitlon, a* w iii< prodtired at Rant lagh foe 
the eiiTirl^lniocDt of the n^^bUity and gentry of ihc nnite<1 
kiDgdurn. 

T Ttea ohI^] And of (he*v two, one was "Tlttit Ainlfi*- 
nicna!" 



mim 



INTRODUCTION. 



AMStngsr. Plessed «t the discovery of a mind 
ng«nwl to bis ovfq, be studied him witb mtleDlion, 
'Bad codeeTOurrd to form a style on hia model. 
SiiftTity. ease, ele'gsnce, all that close application and 

Pfl«dul6ii» imitaiioQ could gire» Rowe acquired from 
p^msaJ of Massinger: faomour, ricbDesi« ri- 
tr^ tod sublimity, the gifts of nature, wete not tCr 
eau^ht, and do not, indeed, appear m tay of bii 
Itif snout compoiitioDa, 
lttw9r bowever, bad diicHmiaatioD and judg- 
~ Bt J be was ali^* to the ^eat and striking excel- 
of tbe Poet^ and formed the resoludon of 
ntitjg him to the world in a correct and uniform 
iliticm. It is told in the preface to *' The Bond* 
f* (printed in 1719), sod there is no reaaon to 
' I toe veracity of the aKirmation, that Howe bod 
die whole of Maasinger's works, witli a 
to thetr publication: unfortunately, however^ 
^« «ras seduced from bis purpose by the mmta of 
' ' Fttlal Dowry." The pathetic sad interesting 

I of thi-s domestic drama have such irresistible 
_ r over the best feelings of the reader, that be 
ermined to srail himself of iheir ejccellence, and 
fnme a aecond tragedy on tlie aame atory. How he 
altered and adapied lb« events to bis own concep- 
tiooa is told by Mr. Cumberland, with equal ele- 
gance and taste, in the £May which follows the 
otiginal piece*." 

Flettsed witb the aveeaaa of bis perfortnancef, 
Howe conceived the uogenerous idea of appropri- 
the whole of its merits ; and, from that in* 
^ appears not only to bare giran up all thoughts 
ssioger, but to baye avoided all mention of hia 
lu the base and aemle dedication of bis 
agedy to the Docbei* olOrmoud, while he founda 
his claim to bar patronage on the interesting nature 
bf the ttcvnc^s. be suffers not a bint to escstJO him 
hat he was indebted for them to any preceding 
enter. 

It miy fleam atrsoge that Rowe should flatter bim- 
wif witb the hope of evading detection : that hope» 
however^ was not so t'xtravogani as it may appear at 
priaent. Few ot our old dramas were then on sale : 
I of Sbaicspe4&re, Jonaoi}« and Fletcher, indeed « 



,r.l. iTtiiV V. I ljr li^MfHprt Oil UlU Itltli^Ct. Thf 

1 1 ly soperiof to tluf of 

r(li> better than ■ speci- 

'.. t.'hed the moft Mdacing 

»4:Jo)|u«ucv on LuUiajiu, aad Actc<i, ibrouc^uiiit 

i It be «ifldj«d to frunc an cxchm; f^r CjihtM : 

olDKct h«* pL«c«d Ui« crime of Bcanmelle 

sbd proper lii^lit U«aaineU« caii hsve do 

< in her giiUt: — do frail one can Drf« that «be wsi 

r her cuunple; fur Nov«ll h4i nottiing but peraonal 

d ev^n io xhwi be b lurpnued by Churslob. For lb« 

«D<] ol CalUu, Howe 4^vtttce» aeociafMlenitiiiii, 

Mr-i:tr lit-, r. m'.f'ml Charsloli tl»e roo»t Inlcr- 

I rodacetJ on the ita{;«, 

< c, iu fimc me^ifure, to the 

I 'Li-ite agttTit of >o<iii^ Novjill, 

■ Caller;!, Indeift. ibr ItnprtMicm Vkbirb 

. wa» »o etroiiKt Itiat hv ntrnai bii tmKefly 

: aiftef the hvrolDc v( his onvn pivcc : Beaa- 

u]^ die Pair Fenitent, Kthercas Cittiita it nciiber 

ii«i« Dor lest than « bsufbty «iid ab^ioduittMl •trumpet. 

t J'ktf mtctxta qf kiM mifrfi*rmanre,\ Tltis waa wMiicwhwt 

obleiBStJcal at first. For llionirh " Tbc Fair FcnU«i)l" be 

r a ceneral ra^uorUe witb the Iowd, it experience k cuo- 

rsMe uppotitioD od iu appearance^ owing, an Buwnci 

w, **if> ibe Itatnctf of the ft^nrtb and fifth ac(»>** 

r poverty <jf Rowe'i g^niat is priocipAlty nppflrrnt in the 

ti «r wbidi t^ plol Aiid the cjLcculiuu arc equally 




had b«en collected i depredadons on them, there- 
fora, iboQgb frequently made, were attended with 
some degree of hazard ; but the works >'* >' 
ger, few of whiih had reached a aeeond < 
scattered in single plays, and might be a^ ; , 1 

without fear. What printed copies or msauBcnpts 
were exianty were chiefly to be found in pnvate li- 
hraries, not easily accessihle, nor often brougLi iq 
sale; and it is not, perhaps, too much to »«iy that 
more old plays may now be found in the hnndi of a 
single bookseller, than, in tbe days of Howe, were 
syppoied to be in exiat«uce. 

'* Ibe Fair Penitent*' was produced in 1705, and 
the Author, baring abaodoDeJ bis first design, un* 
dertook to prepare for the press tbe works of a poet 
more worthy, it must be confessed, of hia care, but 
not in equal watU of bla assistance; and, in 1709, 
gave tbe public the first octavo edition of Shakspeara» 

What might have been the present ntok of .Mmmih- 
ger, if Rowe bad completed bis purpose, it would be 
presumptuous to deiermine : it may^, however, be 
conjectured that, reprinted with accuracy, corrected 
with judgment, and illustrated with ingenuity, he 
would, Qt least, have been more generiilly known*, 
and suffered to occupy a station of greater reaiHJCts- 
btiity than he has hitherto been permitted to assume. 

Massin ger, thus plundered and abaiuloned by 
Rowe, was, after b coasiderable lapae of time, taken 
up by Thomas Coxeter, of *vhom I know nothing 
more thau is delivered by Mr. Egertoo Brydges« 
in bis useful and ingenious additions to tbe ** Tboa> 



* M^re pmtruUf btoum,] It dttes not appear froin Joho- 
too^i obKTVBtioui on *'Tbr Fdir Feaiiifnt, ib«t litr bad any 
knowledge of Mauin^er; ^lEcvrnit I have !K>iue leason tu 
tbiok, UHjk hlin op Ult^ in life ', and Mr. Mulonv ob^ervri to 
inc^ that be only oDosaiteil biin fur verbal illaslratluai of bbiik* 
■pearc, Tbia i» imnvly a labject for reRret ; bol we may be 
aUuwtd to comptain a tittle of lbo«e who di»CQS» hit nierfl* 
wilboat exacntniag liia workSj» and traduce bla character on 
tbefr own raUeoncepiioni, Capellt who»e dull Bdi-liry forma 
tbr sole claim oi» our kltidDesi, bci'omva both irkacrnratc untf 
nnjuattbeinatatithe ipeak« of Mat^tuger; bcaccaar* him of 
betitj^ ofic of the props of JoDaon 'a throne, in opposition tmhe 
prelcnaioDH of 5bakipeare4 I The revcn>e of this i» tbe truth: 
be was lb V admirer and tinitatorot Sbfikspcare, and itisscaree- 
\y poisiblc to look lotu one of bL» pnilociLea, wlibont discover- 
ing some olldfion, more ur let* coiii^arpd , to the overwheliTi'^ 
log pride and arrogaiice of Jonaon. This dijlDcliDHtion to 
the latter wnJ no aecret to bb contemporaritii, vihlle bit par* 
lialily to tbtr former waa ao notoiiiHifli. ibat io a motk 
Tommacff entitled "Wit and Fancy in a Maie^ or Dun 
Zant del Fi>%o,'* 19mo, 1056 (ihc knowleilge of which waa 
obilgidgly communicated to me by llie Rev. W. TuliiJ, 
where an uproar amongst the Eniifiah pwli [■ dcKribed. 
Malinger ii cipresaly iotriMluci^rl a« "one of the lU'it 
raard» lo Shak*peanc." So inacb ft»r the antefof Capdl !— 
hot MaMinger'a ill frite alit) purtaef him. In a Lilt- l->My nfi 
tbc ttage, wriiten with coni^iderablc iii]jcnni(i|/, thw aiKborJti 
Blviag a cbriifiological bi&tory of dramatic wiit<:r» frnm 
Backville dowawanti, overlooks Mauingi-r till be artivA al 
oar own iimea. He then recollect ■ that he wan one of tbe 
fatheri of tlie drama ; and addi+ that "* hi» »lyU was rouj/ht 
manly, and tigoroaa, Uul be prcased upon bta mibject y\\ih 
m severe btii mn»terly band, that hi« wit waa caustic," di<. If 
this isenllcman had ever looked Into the poet he thu» vharae- 
turif4^« he mriBt have InMantly recot^niRcd hii error. Man- 
finger bat no ttfit, and bli tiumuar, in which be abonud«, ia 
of B liv;hland fruUc nalnre ; be prevscf nol Qn hi» iubj* ct nith 
amrWfy, but with fulnet^ cif knowkdi^e -, and bi» atylu la m 
far fjTOJa roi/i/hnten, that iU charactcriJtlc eicetlencc it t 
■tweetneas beyond exnmple. *' Wbt>evcr/' Myn Johnson^ 
•* widhefl to HUm» an EncliJih atyle fnniiliar bm nol eo4r*e, 
and elegant hut not ostentations, tnunl K*** ^l* day* and 
ni^hla tki the volumes of Addlion." Whoever w^Mikl add 1o 
theac ihc i:]aa1ilie4 of timpUcity, purity, aweelne»fr, toil 
Btrength* most dtivote hU honra to the study of Maasinfer. 

i See hit " InlrDdaciiun to Sbakapcftn'a Ttayi/' Vol. I. p. 14* 



i 



INTRODUCTION. 



tfum Poetnrum*/* ** He wis born of %n ftncteot 
•od r^spffclablti family, at Leeblnde, in Glouc«jiter- 
ftltire, if) 1(VB9, ami educated at Trinity College. 
Ox lord, wbBrtj he wore a cirilmn's gown, and about 
1710, ab.indonin*^ tl>e civH law^ and every other 
prnfik^sioQ, oamo to London, Here continuing^ 
witbout any tiettled purpose, be became acq uu in ted 
with bookaellt^ra and auLnora» and ama«sed materials 
for ft biogranliy of our old p0€la. He bad a curitjus 
eoUeotionof old pUys, and wiia ibe first who formed 
tb« 8«beme adopted by Dodatey, of publishing' a 
selection of tijem/* ^o* 

Warton too catla Co^eter a faithful and industrious 
tmasser of our old En|^Ii«hliteratare.aitd thia pmiae, 
whalevnr be its worth, ts all that cau be fairly said to 
belong to himf : as an editor he is miierably defi" 
cient ; thoU||!:h it appears tbut be whs not without 
assistance which, in other hands, mij^ht have been 
tutniMl to some accnunt. " When 1 left London/' 
•ays the accurate and in^jtenious 0]dy»» '* in the year 
17t£4, to reside fn Yorkshire, 1 left m tlio care of the 
Rev, Mr. Burridge's family , with whom 1 bud 
several years lod^d, amount many other books, 
m copy of this Langbaine, in which I bad written 
seveml notes and references to further the know- 
led |£e of lliese poets. W hen I returned to London 
in 1750, I uoderstood my books had been disp«rae>d ; 
and afterwards becomiotf acquainted with Mr. 
Coxeter, I found that he had bought my L&ngbatne 
of a book&eller, as be was a great collector of plays 
and poetic^il books. This must have bei^a of service 
to him, and he has kept it so carefully from my sight 
tbbt I never could bare the opportunity of tranS' 
eribtn^ into this 1 am now writing, the notes I had 
coU^fcted in that. Whether I had (entered any 
remarks upoa Masain^er, I remember not ; hut he 
had comonunicaiions from me concerning hini, when 
he was undertuking to give us a new edition of Ins 
playSp which is not published yet. He (Mr, Cox- 
eter) died on the J 0th (or 19tlj, I cannot tell which) 
of April, being Ka»ter Sunday, 1747, of a fever 
which grew from a cold he caught at an auction of 
books over Exeter Chunge, or by sitting up late at 
the larem afterward^it*'' 

On the death of Coxe!«»r, his collections for the 
purposed edition of Matsinger fell into the hands of 
a bootfsoller^ of tlio name of Uell, who giiive ihein to 
tic world in 1759, From the publisher's prehice it 
appears that Coxeter did not live to complete bis 
design. "The late tngeduus Mr. Coxeter," 
be says, " had corrected and coLtated all tlie 
rariou4 editions4 ;" and^ if 1 may judge from 
bis copies, he hsci spared no diligeuce and care to 
mnke ihem as correct as possible. Sevcrrul tnge- 
iiious obstrrvatious and uotea he had likewise pre* 



•kill i*t Mr. iiiei'v*Mt». 

1 Jii'|in»uii inhl lioivrrll tliii '' a Mr. Coxclcn whom lie 
knew 4 tmtl colU'Ctvil Kb«>ut nw htiitttred: valiiiiii-i of pocti 
i»hi>«< work* Mrtrre mini knuwn : but iliAl, ti|«uo lila diNiilt, 
Tom Dftbftrue benight Ihein, «|ji} Ihty wcfc cU«|ifiiit(l, which 
h« Ihoitjjiii A (lily ; N» it ««» carious Ut $vt «My 
•vrl«« cu»o^4rtc, ttuA Ui (n>«r]r voliimi' of p4<«nM i4«tiK'thfii;K 
fpiMt liit^hi be fuuiid/' DoivvvU^t **U(«i lkc.# vuL IL, 
p. 4 At. 

I Miiiiiiiierl(il nut«» on Liut;b«bie» la ftie fiiitiih 

fTlib b feiUu iifcttcd ill Ihc lllli--ti>4;c — Ifulit ii not ta, 



pered for his intended edition, which are all inserted 
to the present. Had he lived to have completed bis 
design, I dare say he would have added many more, 
aud that his work v^ould have met with a very fa- 
vourable receptioa from Brery person of true taste 
and genius." 

A.B Dell professes to bare followed CoteWt 
papers, and given all his notes, we may form no 
inadec|uiite iaea of what the editioii would bttve 
been. Though educated at the Unirerssity. Coi- 
eter exhibits no proofa of liiemture. To criucal 
sagmcitry he has not tbe smalteat pretensions ; bis 
conjectures are void alike of ingenuity and probe* 
biiity, and his bistoncal refere(nce« at once puerile 
aud incorrect. Even his parallel passages (tbe 
easiest part of an editor's bbour) are more calcn* 
loted to produce a smile at the colleotor*s expeuae, 
than to illustnte his author ; wbUe every page of 
his work bears the atrom^eat impression of imbt- 
rility. Tbe prai^ of fidelity may be allowed him ; 
hut in doing thia the unfortunate Dell must be 
churgid (how justly I know not) with the innu- 
merable errors which over-run and deform the 
edition. I need not inform those who are con vera., 
ant with old copies, that the printers were less at^ 
tentive to the measure of theorigiaal, than to filling 
up the line, and saving tbeir paper: this Coxeter 
attempted to remedy ; his success, however, was 
but partial; his vigtianoe relaxed, or his t4r failed 
him, and hundreds, perhaps thousands, of verses 
are given in the cacop heinous and un metrical stste iu. 
which they appear in the early ediiious, A few 
palpable blunders are removed ; others, not lesa 
remarkable, are continued, and where a word is 
altered, under the idea of improving the sense, it is 
almost invariably for the worse. Upou tlie whole, 
Masjiinger appeiired to less advantage tbaa iu l\m 
old copies. 

Two years afterwards n76l>, a second edition* 
of this work was publisheu by Mr. Thomas Davies^ 
accompanied by an '* Kssiiy en tlie Old Hngliah 
Dramatic Writer,'* furnished by 5lr. Colman, and 
addressed to David Garrick, Esq., to whom Deils 
edition was also inscribed. 

It may tend to mortify those, who, after bestow- 
ing unwearied pains on a work, look for some 
trifling return of praise, to find the approbation, which 
should be justly reserved for themselves, thought- 
lessly bviHhed on the most worthless productions. 
Of this publication, the most ignorant and incorrect 
(if we except that of Mr, M, Mason, to which we 
ahall speedily arrive) that ever issued from the 
press, Bishop Percy thus speaks ; '* Mr, Coxeter'a 
vnHY conatcT Eonioj* of Massinger** Plsys 
has lately been published in 4 vols. 8vo, by Air. 
T. Davies (which T. Daviea was many years an 
actor on Drury-lane stage, and 1 believe still con- 
tinuea so, notwithstanding his shop). To this 
edition lA prefixed e auperticial letter to Mr. Gur- 
rick, written by Mr. Colman, but giving not the 
least account of ^lassinger, or of the old editions 
from whence this was composed. 'Tia great nity 
Mr. Coxeter did not live to huish it himself.*' It is 



• A ifcond edfHen] 8e, at lcs*t. It inklmutri; but Mr. 
W.drtiufi, of Unify Lane (a mutt rrkndly aud Insji-nitm* 
man, l'J«v!M>»rimJill tmicnrUinflibrafy I «ni tnurh itult-mvU}, 
wiio u btutr itMjiuiiiter} Miihtlit Jtct'-oiinvM or l»ooli,»cllcr> 
tUsn 1 |>rutctkil iif be> biTonui nic tkal U u odI^ 0uU'» wtuh 
4 new iia(;-p4g(t. 



jj 



INTRODUCTION* 



%%w 



that hts lordship never compared a ftiogle 
this " correct edition*' with the old copies: 
PADtioa the circumstauce to point out to 
if eminetiice ihe fotJy, oa well as the danger, 
ling at random on any Bubjeot which (hej 
L preriously coDiidered. 
U readily i>a suppoaed that a pablication 

waa not much calculated to extend the 
f or raiae the repuiatioa of the fK>et ; it 
io«reirer» a certain quantity of readers, and 
r growui;; scarce, wbeo it tell hj aDcidanl into 
la of John Monk iNIoson, Elsq. 
77 he was faronred by a friend, a« ho tells 
ry, with a copy of Maaainger ^ he received 
a high degree of pleasure, and having con* 
I hahir of rectifying^, m the mar^n, the mta- 
f iuch hooka aa he rcrad, be proceeded in 
inner with those before him ; hia emvnda- 
ire accidentally discovered by two of his 
taoGe, who eapresaed their approbation of 
I rery flattering temta, and requested the 

give them to the poblic*, 

ftt. ^ Jason was unfortunate in his friends : 
3uld have considered (a matter which had 
ely escaped him) that the great duty 
editor ta fidelity : thai the ignorance of 
' in admitting ao many gross faulls could 
» reasonable mind the siightesl plea for rely- 
bis general accuracy, and that however high 
ght rate their friend's sagacity, it was not 
ecrtaui that when he displaced hia prede- 

1 worda to make room for hia own, be fell 
i« gcpvrina iaxt. Nothing of ihia, howerer. 
4 to th«ai, and Mr. M. Mason was prevailed 
k m aril hour, to aend bis corrected Cojceter 

preface which accorda bm too well with 
il of the work, be observes, that he had 
^eard of Maaainm till about two prears 
K reprinted himf. It must be conlesaed 
^■t AO time in boaating of bis acquaintance 
^fci, however, to have been but snperficiaL 
iKood page he asserts that the whole of 
«ef's plays were published while the author 
ring ! Tbia is a specimen of the care with 
he usually proceeds : the life of the author, 
d 10 his own edition, tells tbut he died in 
lad in the list which inunediately follows it, 
i tbta four plays are given in auc cession, 
were not published till near twenty years 
tat period I 

oaataney of Mr. ^L Mason is to great, that 
9 possible to say whether he supposed there 
ay older edition than that before him* He 
o'deed of M&asiuger, but be always means 
ir ; tad it is beyond any common powers of 

kter bim discourse of the verbal and gram* 
I tnaccuraciea of ao author whose works he 
ly never aaw, without a smile of pity or 
ipt* 



I .lition, p, ii. 
hi j ! l-ii itiAt a writer of inch eviilrnt 
i'> Uu\r_. Wjkown, Prcfjice, p. i. A» wmc 
r. \\. \tm>u'* tmAitmeult I will tril liim 
Jf^Mmm Mye* Ihjil *m » ccTialti time, « 
,,,iMij ui ii.»c vi-ry earl>» Vi*i* muX by 
I ... |in i-Mfl hi* »«!*>» bhiucut it hU %tttiag 
.M. ,.ji huiir, th« man sns^t'rie^J, ' Ih mn6r 
. r, li > Mu Aatvf dme the mmt tMug^ wluU 
^yott tu be jar|fri*c(l r* 



He aaya, ** I have admitted bio the text all my 
own amtndmtnit, in order that tboae who may wish 
to give free scope to their fancy and tbeir feelings, 
and without turning aside to verbal criticism, j««y 
read these plays in that which appears to me the 
most jperfect atate ;" (what intotemble conceit!) 
** but for the satisfaction of more cnucal readers, I 
have directed th«t the words rejected by me should 
be insertfHl in the mar^^in •," This ii not the case ; 
and 1 cannot acc^^unt, on any common principles of 
pmdence, for the gratuitous temerity with which so 
strange eu aiiserLioo is advanced: not one in twenty 
ia noticed, and the reader is misled on almost ^^erf 
occasion. 

1 do not wish io examine the preface further ; and 
shall therefore conclude nith observing, that Mr, 
^l, Maaon*a edition is iufiuitely worae than Coxeter'a 
It rectifies a few mistakes, and suggesia a few im* 
provements ; but, on the other liand, it abounds in 
errors and onii&siuna, not only beyond that, but uer^ 
blips beyond any otber work that ever ap|)eared in 
prinL Nor is this all: the ignorant tidelity of 
Coxeter has certainly given us many absurd r«iac[in|;a 
of the old priritera or transcribers j this, however, 
is far more tolerable than the mischievous ingenuity 
of Mr. M. iMasoD : the word* he has iitentlif intro- 
duced bear a specious appeoronce of truth, uud ure 
tlierefore calculated to elude ibe vigilance of mitay 
readera, whom the text of Coxe er would have 
startled , and compelled to seek the genuine sen.se 
elsewhere. To sum. up the account between the 
two editions, both bear the marks of ignorance, 
inexperience, and inattention j in both the tuuli^are 
incredibly numerous ;; but where Coxeter drona 
words, Mr. IVI. Ma^on drops lines j ond where tO« 
former omits Imes, the latter leaves out wboto 
aptfi'cbea ! 

After what I have just aaid, the reader, perhaps, 
will feel an iaclinutiou to smile at the concluding 
sentence of Mr. M. Moron's preface : ** I rLAnta 

MYBtLl', lUAT Tills £1311 ION Or Al*581NOFB WILL HX 

FouKn MOHE t?oaaicr (and coRafcn?iEsa is i^a only 

BtEltIT IT PRtTXHnS TO) TIIAS THE BXST Of TnOSX 
WlllCU HAVE AS VET HEVS FltRLlsnOJ Or AKV OTUHl 
ANCILNT nftAMATIC WRITER. t*' 

The genuine merits of the Poet, however, w»?re 
strong enougb to overcome these wrutched remoras. 
The impression wus become scarce, and though 
never worth the paper on which it was printed, sold, 
at an extrnv^gRnt prica, when a new edition w«a 
proposed to me by Mr. Evans of Pall-Mall Mas- 
ainger wa-i a favourite ^ and t had fr€r|uenily lu* 
meoted, with many others, that he hud tVHen into 
such bonds, t saw, without the asaiatnnce of the 
old copies, that bis metre was disregarded, that his 
sense was disjointed and broken, that bis dialogue 
wai» imfierfect, and that be was encumbered with 
explanatory trash whkh would disgrace the pages 
of B sixpenny muguiine ; and in the hope of remedy- 
ing these, and entibling the Author to take his plnca 
on the same shelf, 1 will not say with Bbakaiieure, 
but with Jonaon, Beaumont, and his associate Flet- 
cher, 1 readily undertook the labour. 

My first core was to look round for the old 
editions. To collect theae is not at all times possi- 
ble, and in every case, is a work of trouble sind ex- 
pense : but the kiodtiess of individuals supplied me 
with all that I wanted. Octaviua Gilchrist, a 



* PrcfacT, p- U. 



i Pref^ccj p. xL 



kffa^^ 



gvndeman ol Stamford*, no looner heard of my de- 
§ijgn, tlian be obligingly aent me all the copies vrbich 
he poiaeaaed ; the lie v. P. Bay lea of Cole beater 
(only known to me by tbia act of kindueas) pre- 
aented me wilb a amall but cboice selectioo ; and 
Mr, M alone, with a Itberatity whicb 1 aball erer 
remember witb eratitude and deljgbt, furaisbed me, 
uaaoliGited, witb his involunblo collection t» nmong 
which I found all ibe first editions J : tbeee, wiib 
■ucb aa I coutd procure in the course of a few monttjs 
from tbe booksellers, in addition to the copif » in the 
Jduaeum, and tn tbe rich collection of bi» IVlajesty, 
which 1 consulted from time to time, form tbe basis 
of tbe preient Work. 

With these aida IbbI down to tbe baaioess of colla^ 
tion : it was now ibot I discorered, with no less 
■urpriae tb&n Lndiguationi tboae alterations and omia- 



* t moit not omit tb^t Hr. Qikbiiit (wboce name will 
occur tnttrc* thsin nnai in tbr ensuing pngt's.V together wkb 
M* copiei of M«pjiine«ri. Irnu 111111104 « number or uarfti] and 
IndiciDTia ob»ei-vatti»o« qd the Ftxrl, ilerktre-d from Lia uxlvo- 
«tve AcqiiatuUvcc willi oar old tii»loruiu». 

t Pi»r ihl», I owe Mr. Maluti« my rit^nUu ibuilti : bnit 
the nAmhtn of Mad«iaf«r inciBt Join vfhh lutt in exprcMlng 
IheW %T*{hnd< lo him fw an ublttcnilluii of a morv public 
kliMl; for tbe commtiiiic^lliuiii vf that b*4Dliful rracnieni, 
Wblrii now Jippcnra in pfiol tur I be Ivnl tilnr, " Thv ParliJi- 
meat of Lpvc." Prum "The HiiTorj- of I be !lrnc.lisli Sl^jjc*" 
preficiMJ lo Mr Maloni^'t ifdiijun «>r 8liiAkjp«arc, I karacd 
that *' Foar acts df an uapablUh«d tlrama, by ]Mq:s»ineicr. 
were atill cicUut In inAnu»cripu" Aa I anxiutisly witkbcd to 
render ihii ntiiion aa perfect a# po*!*ible, 1 wrttfc to Mr. 
Ifalonc, whh wboui I Inad not tbe plramirr of being per- 
■Otially ■cqtiattiletl, to knuw wbtrc it mlgbt be funnd ; in 
return^ h« mfurined inc lh4t the tuaiiu script waa tti liiia pciB^ 
■esaiun : itsBtate«,he added, WHii»uchf that be doubled whi'lticr 
much advantace could be derived from )1, Itul that f w^b 
tnUrely welcam« to make Ibe enperltnebt. Of (bia permit- 
rIoOi wbkb 1 accepted wUb tlnenlar pleastirr, I foatantly 
■vailed myi«lr* and received Ine manuscript. It wa>» 
indeed, in a forlorti condilioo: wjveral leave* were torn from 
ihii bcKiniiini;, and Ihe lup antl bottom of every pa^e wailed 
by drtmpa, to vrhich it hail formerly been expoMrd. On ts%- 
aminafion, howeTer, I had ihe tatbfaction to And, that a 
connuieraMc part of tbe Brat acl, which **a nuppomd ttj be 
lost, yet eii>te«1, arKl Ibat a certain degree of atlcniion, 
whkb t waa not uawillfne to bestow on itj mi^ht recover 
nearly Ibe vibole of the remainder. How I aacceeded, may 
l»« Mttta in the preseul volume; wbcr* tb« rrader will find 
tUib an jcruuiit, aa waa t-oniialenf wilb tb« brevity of my 
plan, of the ain^ular i|]«tittiition on which the fable is foondtt^f. 
Prrhapa tbe anbjeri meriti no furtlier consideration : I wonid« 
lUJWever, jvit obaerve, that, aince ibe article v,»a prlntfil« J 
have been fbrnUbc^l by my fn'trHl, tlic Rev. K< Narca, lAiib 
a cnriona old volnme» called *' Aresta Amomm, vr Arreta 
d'Amonr," written in Premsh b^ Martial d'Anver^ne, who 
died in 1M8* [I U not p<ittibk to tntagioe any ibine 
ifi^.t.^ irtvoL.tM than the ean«ef,or rather appeals, which are 
*>' heard in thia Court of Love. What i», hfliv- 

e^ ' intraordinary, ia, thai Iheac mlM-mble trille* 

«r> I npon by Eenoft le Cnvrt, a eelebrated Juris- 

coui'44i( oi 1^1' H! iiitie?, vtiih a de|;rt'« of acrioavncia which 
i^ould nut disgrace the moat intportattt i^ne»liona. Every 
Oreek and Romnn wriUrr, then known, I3 qoottd with pru- 
fui>ion, lo prove aome tHt« position dropt at random : ocea- 
•)u«i i* hImi taken to deacant uii many aubite poiuta of taw, 
mhUh mij{hi not be alioc^tber, perbjip!^, without ihcir in- 
terest, I have noihinK furthiT lo aay of ibia elaborate olece 
of fof»k'ry» which I read with etjiud weariaomenct* anti dia- 
g44*t, b<jii ^tl<icb !>» t VN 0, |Mrh.tp», to ahow that Ibeac Parlla- 
in< I oijfrsaedly liiiaKioary, occupied 

ri > ' , Uian that It bad probably fallen 

iiti 11 >Me aceoc between Bt-Ui>ant and 

Clfiu.ilifrf ii>t^r 1.V1) ?r.in» io be founded on Utc iSrsl 
appt-al which la heard iu the '* ArreU d'Amour/' 

X I have no iuleiitiuti of enlrrlnj; lnlL»lbcdi»pnfe ref peeling 
(he comparative n)erita of the first and atcond loUoa of 
Sliakapeare. Of \1aMin^rr» however, I may be allowed lo 
lay. that 1 conatanily found tbe tarlient cdltiona the mrial 
evrreet. A palpable error might be, and, indee<i, ^jmeliniea 
W«a rexnovt^ in ibe anbai-qucnt onea, bnt the tpiriu and 
what t would caltlhc racineM^ of the aelhor only appeared 
««i)ripl«tt Lo the ori|;inal copiea> 



aiona of which I have already apoken ; and which I 
made it my first car*' to reform and aupply. At tbe 
outset, finding it difficult to conceive tbit the varia- 
tions in Coxetor and Mr. M. Maaon were tbe effect 
of i^orance or caprice, I imagined that an aurbority 
for them mig^ht be some where founds and tberefora 
collated not only i^very edition, but eren aerenl 
copies of tbe same edition*' ; wlint began in neoeaaity 
was continued by choice^ and every play ha/t under- 
gone, at least, five close examinations with tbe ori- 
ginal text. On tbia strictneM of revision reata tbt 
IP'eat: diadnction of this edit i cm from the preoediii|f 
onea, from which it will bt* found to vary in an in- 
fitiite number of places : indeed^ accuracy, as Mr. 
M. Maaon aaya, ii all the merit to which it pretenda ; 
and though I not provoke* yet I aee no reason la 
deprecate the conaeqnenceaof tbe aevereat acrutiny* 
There ia yet another diatinclion. Tlie old copiea 
rarely specif the place of action : such, indeed, waa 
the poverty of the stage, that it admitted of little 
variety , A plain curiam Imng up in a corner » ae- 
paraled distant regions i tmd if a board were ad* 
vnnced with Alilau and Florence written u}>od it, 
tl]« delusion was complete. *' A table wjtb p^'n and 
ink thrust in," signified tbut the stage was a counting- 
bouae; if these were withdrawn, and two stools 
put iu their plncea, it vras then a tatrcrn* Instances 
of this may be fotind in tbe margin of all our old 

Elays, whicb aeem to be copied from the promptera* 
ooks ; and Mr. Moione might hare produced from 
hia Maasinger alone, more tbnn enough to satisfy 
the reheat sceptic, that tbe notion of scenery, aa we 
now understand it, was utterly unknown to the 
stage. Indeed, be bad so mfich the advantage of 
the argument without these aida, that I have always 
wondered bow Steepens could so lonp;^ suppurtj and 
an strenuously contend for, his most hopeless 
But be was a wit and a scholiu- ; and tnere is 
pride in showing how dexterously a clumsy 
pon may be wielded bv a practised swordsmBn. With 
all this, however, t Lave ventured on an arrange- 
ment of the scenery. Coxeter and Mr, M. Mason 
attempted it in two or three plaiFS, and their ill 
iucceas in a maner of no extraordinary difficulty, 
proves how much they mistook their talents, when 
they commenced tbe tnide of edttorship, with little 
more than the negative quaJidea of beedlessneaa and 
inexperience. t 

* lo tome of ibcBc pkya i ili:acovered, that am errov harf 
been ditecitd, atUr a p«ri of llic imprea»ioo waa worked olT^ 
and ctntmequenily corrected, or what wa» more freqacBtly 
Ihe ca»e. cx:chan|;i-d lor aoolbcr. 

f HemntieatneaM and tn&cpmfeiicrO Those who recnllorl \\\r 
boait of Mr. M. Maaon. will be lomewhai inri^r 
baptievcn afl«r all which they have beard, at K n 
In an iicnpla a matter a* mnrking the r^r«, thii 
blunder* at every Hf! p. If Pope now wins alive, hv \\<<.A 
nut apply lo hia blacbUlter playa for tiicb nkrtiia aa rjrit 
omnts, tntrr tkr*t blavk u^tc-fitM tvtut.Z At. Mr< M. MaaiiO'* 
«>dllioi), i^hirh he " ft altera hirni^lf will be fonrHl more cor- 
rect than Ihc beiil of those whtcb have been yet pnbllitliert 
of any oilier ancient dmmatie writer," would iumlph abtind- 
atice vl ihini. Hn copy of ' The Fatal DowT> ,' 
before me, aurj, in the compaM of a few pare*, ' 
/•>ir e#rrr* mth XotmU (|J»fl). Etit VhantUu, * 
aftd €}0ictr» {%00), fUit Homtmt ati4 *(mvK»f(VI>i. AjiI 
NtmaU senior and Pmttalirr (*.'J8), &c, AH rji<,octrtir* In 
"The Emperor of tbe KaM (311 ;, Esit Gmttemen («44), atMl 
^TitTiherio and .Sttjifmuo rJ4A). in " Tbe Duke of III Ian; 
tlieie }i4»( btcttidi'iB ore vmluninry on Ibe part of the «<|{tQr- 
L^ixHer, whom be oanally fctllow}, reatls Er* tt)t Etittmi e 
tlie nlliiiu up» ibereforei is aolely due to hki own tncrnntlv. 
Slrnllnr Distaiireitnigbl Ik produced from every play. 1 would 

I See bii Preface lo Shakipiiar«. 



mb 



tt# DOW to tlie notes* Tbo4« wbo are aceuttomefl 
B erowiled paf «s of our modern ediiorvi wH\ 
*hij be ftoroewbHt «tartled at the comparalir* 
lllM. U tliis b« an error it ia t roluntary one. 
r«r eoold eonc«iTe whf th« mwlert of our old 
latiflta diould be tiupeeted of bbomrog under 
■tsr difgrte of igi)or»Doe than tboie of«ay otber 

of wtiitn I yet, from tlie trite and inVignilt* 
materiala amassed for their information, it it 
rot that a persaaaion of tbi» nature ia uncom- 
Ijrikrevalent* Customs which are unireraal, and 
i^aions ^^famitiar as bouaehold worda" in 
f month, are illustrated, that is to say, orer- 
hy an immensity of parallel passages, with 
as much wisdom and resch of thought as would 
rinoed by bim wbo, to explain any simple word 
bts line, should empty upon the reader all the 
iples to b« found under it in Johnson's Die* 
iry» 

lis chesp and mijerable display of mlaute 
ition grsw up, in great measure, with Warton ; 
iac« to bis manes ! the cause of sound liters^ 
bss b«^n fearfully avenged upon bis bead : and, 
knightHBrraat who, with his sttendsnt Howies, 
Iiillsstof all mortal squires, ssllied forth inquest 
m orig:ijitl proprietor of erery common word in 
01k, has hod his copulstites and disiuncrives, 
^itt and his andt, sedulously ferrettea out from 
w school-books in the kingdom. Asa prose 
ir« htt will ToDg continue to instruct and delight ; 
M a poet be is buried — lost. He is not of the 
11, nor does he possess sufficient rigour to 
I off tbe weight of ucumbent mountstos. 
iwever this may be, I hare proceeded on a dif- 
t pban, Passsget that only exercise the me- 

V.. — irestiog aimilar thoughts and ejcpres- 

wrilert, are, if somewhat obvious, 

to the reader *a own discovery. Un* 

BOH aad obaoleCa words ar« briefly explained, 



kr from thli, fh«t lfr« M. Mssod U uiiJicquAlnlrf) wtfti 
«anlli| of CO cotnmnti a wrurl ; but if wc rr Ueve \\lm 
fa< d^it^v of igrxffnactt vhir bvcom**^ . y f 

U it ud^lTicuU To »*y oa what prvci>> I'hli 

' lu4 (}4»fn4 i» fqvdor were (ooDtled, ' ^»a- 

' ver go oai, aud gu uun HmI never 
ihcy apeak before (Ji<ry r titer, «r 
^ ttmgm, »My\*'to iu;ikc « the more 

i> a»l««p or dead ! Hrr« one mcida 

I I 'T? another; b«rc Coxeier U Mrr- 

. ^iTic\iAi»iy d t:»r rl p<1 : Uer*^ Ibf «eMiet 
I-.. .e cnoUtivcd i»iO ' ' n^n; lit-re 

malUfrlMI wMhovt sect nyptvuieil 

l»Jitry ro the aeote: vli _ Im every 

|.9w«.,.'tered ^lih marsinat iljiri limii», i<huli hiing 
Ml Mrly tot the property-iuati, vlw, aji baa been already 
iMd. had but f«* pfDjxrrtiei at hii dift|,iri.tjih can now 

- — '•"* "■ ' ■ " -1 to catlie a tnUk at ihe es- 

I i^ all; lliv abfiifd *cenery Id- 
ijeil. uj dcplKbl of ctutinion 

.-. -..™.. ■ ^' art iKiDt'rCtfelly f^iven 

y iaatasee; aiHi "Tbc FmuI Dowry/' 

M« so dttertpfi* 1 c1er»< |j kn by Mr. M. 

•• k» fiMind il*li-. .^.. n can be uiiire dcitnac- 

IhSl aatlbrtiiliy i^hicb tbe reader U ted to txptct 
r buld pr«le&al«it)t of til a preface, t hope it b need- 
dil, tiMi Ui<>w ^>r-Y>'i^Mlk*wUl sot be tOunA In Ihe 
vohinr. 



and, where tbe phraseology was doubtful or ob- 
scure^ it is illttslrstad sad confirmed by ijuotstions 
from contemponiry authors. In this psrt of tha 
work no abuse has been sttempted of the resder*B 
pstiene« : the most positive that could bo found, 
are given, and a scrupulous attention is tr^ff 
where paid to brevity ; as it has been si ways my 
persuasion, 

** That where one's proofs are aptly eboien, 
Four are as valid as four doien." 

I do not know whether it rosy be propef to add 
here, that the freedoms of tlie suihor (of^whieh, a« 
none csio be more sensible (ban myself, so none can 
more Ismeot them) have obtaitiea little of my soli- 
citude: those, therefore* wbo examine the notes 
with a prurient eye, will find no rratifi cation ia 
their licentiousness. I bsve calleu in no Amoer 
to drivel out gratuitous obsceuities in uncouth tan* 
gusge* • no ColliDs (whose name should be devoted 
to lasttog infamy) lo ransack the souals of a brothel 
for secrvt ** better bidt ;'* where I wiahed not to detaia 
the reader, I have been silent, and instead of aspiriog 
to the fame of s licentious conunentstor, sought 
only for the quiet spprobaiion with which the 
father or the husband may reward the faithful 
•ditor. 

But whatsf ar may be thought of my owo nofea, 
the critical observations that follow each play, sud* 
shove all, the eloquent and masterly deliueAtion of 
Msssuiger*s character, #ubjoined to " The Old 
Law/^ by the companion of my youth, the friend 
of my maturer years, the inseparable and sfiectioo- 
ate sssociate ot my pleasures and my pains, my 

f graver nnd my lighter iludieSf tbe Eev. Dr. Irei- 
Bnd{, will, I am persuaded, be received with pecu- 
liar pleasure, if precision, vigour, discrimination, 
and ortginalityi preserve their usual claims to 



4 



The bead of Masstoger, prefixed to this volume, 
was copied by my young friend Lascelles Hoppner, 
from the print before three octavo plays pubhabed 
by H. Moseley, 1655, Whether it be renlly the 
*' vers efligies**of the poet, I cannot pretend to ssy : it 
was produced sufficiently near his time to be accumts, 
and It has not the air of a fancy portruit. There is, 
I believe, no other. 



* fn imcimih tanguoff*] U U ilnjottr that Mr. Steevena, 
who wni ao well acqusJAted with the MurdM of onr nrkcient 
writer*, ahimld be to l^Eionunt of ibeir aiyle, Tbe lanen-it^e 
which be bai pot into ihe otoath of Amn«r ii a barbarona 

iuiobte of dlffereDt agci, that cevff bad, and nevtr cuald 
avcf a prolocypc. 

tOi3« book whicb (aot beios* perbapa, among the 
srchWet act carernUy exptoftd for lie betteftt ot tht yovlhtu] 
readen of Slitk»p««re ) Mcmi lo have eveafied the noilre oT 
Mr. Collintt miy yet be asfely commcndecl lo bi« futurv 
rriearrhe** aa oot uiihktly 1m rewiKl hli i^aiiii. He wil| 
And ill jtt aitiuDC many other iliinf* equally valaable, 
that ** The knowUdgt cf ^cktdntn i* *««t witdom* net* 
I her at an> Uine tbe eouDael of •iancn pradence."— £McSi 
mix. la. 

tPnbciidary of Wetimlnttvrj and Vicar of Croydea Is 
Surrey » 



ESSAY 



DRAMATIC WRITINGS OF MASSINGER. 



BY JOHN FERRIAR, M.D. 



• Rei antiqua; taudii *t arti$ 
Ingrtdiar, tnnet(*t ausut rtciudtre Jmiei, Vino^ 



7t tnfgbt be urged , is a proof of oar posaMsin^ a 
■uperfluity of goud playa in ottr language, tbat one 
of our beat dniiniitic writers ia verj genemlly dis- 
regarded. But whatever conclusion may be arnn^fi 
from this fact, it will not be eaiy to free x\w public 
from the suspicion of caprice, while it contiuuea to 
idolue Sbiikspeare, and to neglect an author not 
oftBu much inferior, and aometimea nearly equal, to 
that wonderful poet. jVIasaingers fate has, indet*d, 
be«*n hard, far beyond tbe common topicf of lie 
infelicity of genius. He was not merely denied the 
fortune for which be laboured, and the fame which 
he merited ; a still more cruet circumstance baa at- 
tended bia production a : literary pilferers bava 
built their reputation on his obscurity, and the 
popularity of their stolen beautiea baa diverted 
the public attention from tbe excellent original* 

An attempt waa made in farour of tbia injured 
poet, in 1761, by a new edition of bii worka, at* 
tended with a critical diifsertation on the old Cngliah 
dram&tiata, id which, though compoaed with spirit 
and elegance, there ia little to be found reapectin(r 
Majisinger. Another edition appeared in 1775, 
hut the poet remained unexamined. Perhaps M&a- 
sinfC^r is »tiU unfortunate in hia r indicator. 

I'he same irregtilarity of plot, and disregard of 
nitea, appear in Wa»ainger*B nrodluctiona aa in tboee 
of bta eon temporaries. On tuts subject Shakapeare 
baa been so well defended that it ia unneceaaary to 
add aoj argutnenPs io vindication of our poet. 
Tber« u erery reason to suppose (hat Masstnger 
did nol neglect the ancient rules from ignorance, 
for be appears to be one of our most learned writers, 
(Dolwitbatandtiiff the insipid sneer of Antony 
Wood*) : «nd Cartwrigbt, who waa oonfeasedly a 



( man of great erudition, is not more attentire Io the 
unities than any other poet of that age. But our 
author, like Shakspeare, wrote for bread ; it ap~ 
pears from different parts of his works*, that much 
of bis life had passed m alarish dependence, uid 
penury is not apt to encourage a deaire of fame. 

One observation, however, may be risked, on oor < 
irregular and regular plays ^ that the former ar* 
more pleasing to the taste, and the latter to tht 
understanding ; readers must determine, then, wbe* 
ther it is better to feel or to approve. Msssinger't 
dramatic art is too great to allow a faint sense of pro- 
priety to dwell on the mind, in perusing his pieces; 
he inflames or soothes, excites tbe strongest terror, 
or the softest pity, with all the energy and powet 
of a true poet. 

But if we must admit that an irregular plot 
subjects a writer to peculiar disadTantagea, tho 
force of Mossinger's genius will appear more eri- 
dently from this very coacessioa. The interest of 
hia pieces ia. for the most part, strong and well 
defined \ the story, though worked up to a studied 
intricacy, ia, in general, resolved with as much 
ease and probability as iu nature will permit \ 
attention is never <lisgusted by aniicipntion, nor 
tortured with onnecessary delay. These chnraetera 
are applicable to most ntlVT us dinger's own produc- 
tions ; but in those which he wrote joinrly with 
other dramatists, the interest is often weakened, by 
incidents which that age permitted, but which the 
present would not endure. Thus, in ** The Rene- 
gadot," the honor of Paulina la preserved from fha 
brutality of her Turkish maater, by the influence of a 

* 8«c pnrtkalarly tint dedktsaon of " Tbe Msid of Homer,'* 
and •'TbeGrcJit Dnke or Florvnc**," 
t TlUi pLiy w&i written by Maatingvr slotie. 



ESSAY ON THE WRITINCS OF MASSlNOElt. 



szix 



relic. wliicJi the wears oa lier breitst : in *' The 
Vtrgitt, MurlTT," ibe beroioe is «uen<3ed, through 
lU her EuffeAn^, by an angel diMguited as her pn^e ; 
her persecutor ia urjjfed on to destroy her by an 
•tuodont 6end, also in di«gctiae. Hera our anxiety 
for th« diftreasedf ajid our hatred of th^wiclred, 
are completelj stifled, and we are mor> eaitly 
a^ected by some burlesque paaaages which follow 
is the same le^endarj fttraiD< In the last quored 
play, the attendDot an^el pic)is the pockeU of 
two debauchees, and Theopbilus oyercomea the 
de\il by means of a cross composed of flowers, 
which Dorothea had tent him from Paradise* 

The etory of ** The Bondman*' is more intricate 
tbaa that of*' The Dnke of Milan," >et the former 
is a more interesting play ; for in the latter, the 
motives of Francisco's conduct^ which occasions 
the diitress of the piece, are only disclosed tn nar> 
ratioot at the beginniof^ of the fifth act : we there- 
fore consider him^ till that moment, as a man 
abturdly and unnaturally ricious : but in "The 
Bondman/' we have frequent ^lirapifs of a concealtsd 
splendour in the character of Pi&3U)d«r, vbich keep 
oar attention fixed, and exalt our expt^ctation of the 
citaatra{jbe. A more striking comparison might 
lie instituted between "The Fatal Dowry" of our 
author, and Bowe scopy of it in his " Fair Penitent ;** 
but I his H very fuUy and judidoosly done, by the 
anthnr of " The ObserTer*,** who has proved auf- 
ficieittjy, that the interest of ** The Fair Penitent** 
is iDOch weakened, by throwing into narration what 
Alastinj^er hod forcibly represented on the stage. 
Y et Howe's plsy a rendered much more regular by 
the alteration. Farquhar's '• InconsTanl," which is 
taken from our authors '* Guardian," and FU^lcbcir's 
*^ Wild-goose Cbace, is considerably less etejpuit 
and less interesting ; by the plagiarist*! indiscretion, 
the lively, facetious Dorazzo of Masfiinger is trang- 
formed into a nauseous bufl'oon, in the character of 
old AliraheK 

The art and judgment witb which our poet con- 
ducts his incidents are every whetv admirable. In 
'• The Duke a( JVIilan/' our pity for Morcelia would 
inspire a detestation of all tlie other chai acters, if ihe 
did not facilitate ber rain by the indulgence of on 
eicessi re pride. In'* llie Bondman/' Cleora would 
be despicable when she chaogei her lover, if I^oh- 
tbenes bad not rendered himself unworthy of her« 
by a mean jealouay. The violence of Almirn'ii 
pftssioo in the " Very Woman," prepares us for its 
deciy. Many detached scenes in these pieces pos- 

sa uncommon beauties of incident and situ&iiou. 
Of tbii) kind are, the interview between Charles V. 
and Sfomf, which, thongb notoriously contrary in 
ime hisTurv, imd very deficient in the repreaenution 
of T ' -r. arrests our attention, and awakens 

ir the strongest manner ; the conference 

of jiinTu.i^A aod Baptists^ when Sophia's virtue 

teomes suspected^ ; the pleadings in '* The Fatal 
Dowry*'* r<»»pecting the luneral ntes of Choralois ; 
the interview between Don John, disguised as a 
f^Kv^, mid hit mistress, to whom be relates his 
t -lye all, the meeting of Pisander and 
Itehas elicited the revolt of the slaves, 

...u'-i K^ ^rri her within his power These scenes 

e eminently dxaiiuguished by tiieir novelty i cor- 



• Ho. LXXXVIlr. txxxix, xc. 

%««0aWof ll»M>."Art. U. 

I *• Fkiar*," y/L\ er y Woman." Ji ** BonifraMi." 



rectness, and interest ; the most minute critic wi)t 
find little waniing, and the lover of truth and nature 
can suffer nothing to be tnken nway. 

It is DO repronch of our author, that the foundotiun 
of several, perhaps all, of his |,tlors may be traced in 
different historiaoa, or novelists ; for in supplying 
himself from these sources, he followed the practice 
of the age. Shakspeare, Jun^ori, and the rest, are ' 
not more original, in tbis respect, than our Poet ; if 
Cartwright may be exempted, he is the only ex- 
cepiion to this remark. As the mtnds of nn audience, 
unacquainted with the models of antiriuity, cnuld 
only be affected bj immediate application to their 
passions, our old writers crowded aa many incidents, 
and of as perplexing a nature aa possible, into their 
works, to support anxiety and expeotition to their 
utmost heigh I, In our reformed tra^^ic school, our 
pleasure arises from the contemplation of the writer*s 
art f and inst«»nd of eagerly watching for the unfolding 
of the plot (the imnginatioQ being left at liberty hy 
the simplicity of the action), we consider whether it 
be prop«»rly conducted. Another reaftotj, however ,f 
may be assigned for the intricacy of thoae plots, 
namely, the prevailing taste for the manners and 
writings of Italy. During the whole of the sixteenth 
and part of the seveateenth centuries, It«ly was 
the seat of elegance and arts, which the otlier Kuro« 
peso nstiona hud begun to admire, but not to imitate. 
From causes which it would be foreign to the p re- 
seat purpose to enumerate, the Italian wnters 
abounded in complicated and interesting stories, 
whioh were eogt^rly sei»ed by a people not well 
qualified for invention*' ; but the richness, variety, 
and distinctness of chnrocter which our writers 
added to those tales, conferred beauties on them which 
charm us at this hour, however disguised by the 
alteration of manners and language. 

Exact discrimination and consistency of character 
appear in all Massinger's productions ; sumetimea, 
indeed, the interest of the piny suifers by his scru- 
pulous attention to them. Tlius, in " 1 he Fatal 
J>owry,** Churalois's fortitude and determined »ense 
of honour are carried to a most uufeeling and bar< 
bsroua degree ; and Francisco's villainy, in ** The 
JJuke of Alilan,'* is cold and considerate beyond na* 
ture. But here we must again plead the sad tiecea* 
biiy under which our poet laboured, of pleasing his 
audience at any rate. It was the prevailing opinion, 
that the characters ought to approach towards each 
other as little as poftsible. This was termed art^ and 
in con3et|uence of this, as Dr. Hurd say at, some 
writers ol thut time have founded their characters on 
abaitract ideas, instead of copying from real life. 
Tboa«i delicate and beautiful abodea of manoers, 
which we admire in Shakspeare, were reckoned in- 
accuracies by his con tern }H>raries. Thus Cartwright 
says, in his verses to Fletcher, speaking of Shak- 
speare, whom be onderyalues, ** nature uat ati hi* 

Genertiil manners mnat always influence the stage; 
ttfihappily, the manners of Massinc^er's age w**re 
pedantic. Vet it must be allowed that our Author's 
characters ore less shatract than those of Jousou or 
Cartwright, and that, with more dignity, they are 



* GartwriKbt and Congr^ve, wbo resemble each othrr 
fttrongiy in n>m« TwiiarkB»»te ctrcumtUncea, arc almont oar 
iifily (lnin»tUt» who liavc any cLiim to oriK,iii4ltiy ia Ihclr 

t *' Euay on tbe Fn)vinc«» of the Dm ma.'* 



MKW 



ESSAY ON THE WRITINGS OP MASSINGER, 



eqanllj nataml with those of FLotcher. IU» con- 
oeptioaa tr*** for the moat part, just and nohle. We 
huYB « fine instftnce of ihU in the character of Dio- 
cletian, whop vf ry differently from the ranting ty 
rttits by whom the stage has heen so long- posoeAsocI, 
is generous to his ranquiahed enemiet, and perse- 
cutes from policy fti much as from zeal. He attracts 
our i«ipeot, imiDedialely on hia «pp€«nuice, by tlie 
following aeotiments ; — 

- In all growing empires. 
Even cruelty ia useful ; some must suflVr, 
And be s«t up examples to strike ti^rror 
In others, though far off: hut, wh«n a atate 
I» rutsKJ to her p«rfeotion, and bar baaea 
Too firm to shrink, or yield, wt mty tue mercyj 
And do't with safety : 

Virgin Martyr, Act. I. bc, L 

BfonEa ia an elerated character, cast iJi a different 
mould ; brare, frank, and gep^roust be ia htirried, 
hy the tiiirestramed force of bis passions, ioto fatnl 
excesses in love and friendship. He appears with 
^reat dignity before the emperor* on whose meroy he 
IS thrown, b^ the defeat of bis allies, the French, at 
the battle of Paria. After reeounlicg bis oblig»- 
lion a to Franois, he proceeds : 



If that, then, to be grateful 

For courtesies received , or not to lea ire 
A friend in bis oecessiilea, be i erime 
Amongst yoti Spaniards, 

- SforsA brings bis heed 
To pay the forfeit. Nor come I as a slave. 
Pinion 'd and fettered, in a squalid weed, 
Fulling before thy feet, kneeling and howling, 
For a farestall'd remission : that were poor, 
And would hut shame tby \rictory ; for conquest 
Over base foes, is a captivity, 
And not a triuinpb* 1 ne'er fear'd to die. 
More than I wisb*d to live. When I bad reacb'd 
My ends in being a duke, I wore these robes, 
This crown upon my head, and to my side 
This a word was girt ; and witness truth, that, now 
'Tie in another's power when 1 sball part 
With them and life together, I'm the same: 
My veins then did not swell with pride ; nor now 
Shrink tbey for fear. 

The Duke of Milan, Act III. sc. it- 

Id the scene where Sforza enjoins Francijco to dia* 
patch Marcelia, in case of the emperor's proceeding 
to extremities against him, the poet boa gi?en him 
a strung exprpsion of horror at his own purpose. 
After disposing Francisco to obey bis commands 
without reserve, by recapitulating the favours con- 
ferred on him, Sforut proceeds to impress him with 
the blackest view of the inteuded deed : 

- But you must swear it ; 
And put into the oath ill joys or torments 
That fright the wicked, or confirm the good : 
Not to conceal it only, tlmt is notbinff, 
But whensoe'er my will shall speak. Strike now, 
To fall upon't like thunder. 

Thou must do, then, 
What no malevolent star will dRre to look on. 
It ia so wicked : for which men will curse thee 
For being ibe instrument; and the blest angels 
Fonake me it my need, for bewg the author : 



For 'tis a deed of night, of night, Francisco i 

In which the momory of alt good actions 

We can pretend to, shall be buried quick : 

Or, if we be remembered, it shall be 

To fright posterity by our example, 

That have outgone ail precedents of rilhiinA 

That were before us ; 

THm Duke &f Milan f Act L ae. tilt* 

If we compare this scone, end especially the paft» 
sage quoted, with the celebrated scene between King 
John and IltibBrt, we shall perceive this remarkable 
difference, thtit Sforsa, while he proposes to bia 
bfoth<'r-in-law and faivourite, the eventful murder of 
hta wife, whom he idolises, is consistent and deter- 
mined ; his mind is filled with the horror of ibe 
deed, but borne to the execution of it by the inu 
pulse of an extruvagtint and fantsatio delicacy} 
John, who is actuated solely by the desire of re- 
moving his rival in the crown, not only feara to 
communicate his purpose to Hubert, though be per* 
ceives him to be 

A fellow by the hand of nature mark*d, 
Quoted, and sign*d to do a deed of shame ; 

bat aflerbe has sounded bim, and found him rendy 
to execute whatever he can propose, he only hints 
at the deed, Sforxa enlarges on the crut-lty and 
atrocity of his design ; John is afraid to utter ki» 
in the view of the sun : nay, the aanguinary Richard 
hesitates in proposing the murder of his nephews 
to Buekinf^bom. Jn this instance then, as well as 
that of Churahihis, our poet may seetn to deviate from 
nature, for ambition is a stronger passion than love, 
yet Sforaa decides with more promptness and conS* 
dence than either of Shakspvarf'ii characters. We 
must consider, however, that timidity and irresolu* 
tion are chflmcteristics of John, and that Eicliord*! 
hesitation appears to be assumed, only in order to 
transfer the guilt and odium of the action to Buck* 
ingham. 

It was hinted before, that the character of Pisnn 
der, in "The Bondman," ismoreinteretting thsnthat 
of Sforza, His virtues, so unsuitable to the character 
of a slave, the boldness of his designs, and the 
steadiness of his courage, excite attention and anx- 
iety in the most powerful manner. He is ^perfectly 
consistent, and, though lightly shaded with chivalry, 
is not deficient in nature or passion. Leosthenes is 
also tl)» child of nature, whom perhaps we trace in 
some later jealous chnmcters. Cleora is finely 
drawn, but to the present a|;e,. perhaps, appears 
rather too mascMline : the exhibition of characters 
which should wenr an unalterable charm, in their 
finest and almost insenDible (ouches, was peculiar to 
the prophetic genius of Shakitpeare*. Massinger 
has given a strong proof of his genius, by intro- 
ducing; in a diff(>renC play, a similar character, in t 
like aituatian to that oi Pisander, yet with sufficient 
dtscrimination of manners and incident : I mean don 
John, in" The Very Woman," wholike Pisander, gains 
hiH mistress's heart, under the disguise of a slave. 
Don John la a model of magnanimity, aopertor Co 
Cato, because be ia free from pedantry and oatMl- 

* If MsMlnigvr formttl the Binf^alsrchJinictrr of 3ir GUri 
Overreach from hi« own ItTtJiKlimlloo, %»h«i thoald W9> ililaik 
uf hii MfMltj', wliu bave ^CD iiiL8 prwtlcalpb«etotiiresltscd 
In our cbysT Its sppsreat extravagance reqalrad 1^ 
support. 



Il 



riHriii 



ESSAY OX THE WRITINGS OF MASSIXGER. 



XX3CI 



f fiiioa, I b«li«re Le moj b# reganled ag fu ongiD:il 
> chvmcter, It wu eaiy to intenrai our feelings far 
I all iJli« cbarftct^m already described, but no writer^ 
I ht^torm Mif«iag«>r, bid uttetnjktfd to mike a pUyer 
I lb« h»ro of trag»d/. Thit. however, lie biu wjte- 
rar«il with vurpriaing address, in '^ The Eomao 
Acftjf/* It must bf» confeised that ParU> the aotor, 
» mocb of bU dignity to inddenU ; ai tb« open- 
liar of tl*« pUy. be defends hia profesaion suecesi- 
I fiiUy brfore the senate ; this artful introduction 
[nites hucDf iin our ideas, abare the \erel of bis aitua- 
for die noet baa ** grae^ bim with aJl the 
of worda;" tbe etupreaa'a paaaion for him 
I btm in a atiU tDoro ai^tinj^uiahtHi light, and 
I bij death froto tbe hand of the emperor 
jbimaetf, in a mock play. It ia, perhaps, from a aense 
' tibo difficulty of exalting Paria'a character, and of 
IM cUsterit^r requisite to fi\ tJie attention of tbe 
.WU^mtf on It, that Moaainger aaja, in tbe dedica- 
I of tbia play, tliat ** be ever held it the most 
' ct binb of hid Min^rra." 1 know not whether 
I ia owiag to de:si^n,or to want of art, that Romool, 
m *' Ttk« Fatal Dowry/' intereata ua aa much aa 
ChimUm^ tbe hero* If Cbaraloia aurrendera his 
bboiif lo procore funeral ntei for bia father, Ro- 
~, prerioiiily prorokee tbe court to tmprieon 
^ MMkaking with two much animation in the 
f hin fnend. Homont, though insulted by 
iiacredita hU report of Beaumelle's 
J him with aJl the eagerne^ of at- 
jTru Cbaraloiaia inroUed in difficulties 
hf tlir sunlef of Norall and bia wife, and reireoges 
liM ti wt fc, wben be ia ataaasinated by FonlaUer. 
fU'irv^ wbo no^lected tbe 6 neat porta of thia tragedy 
is hm pbfiannn "Tbe Fair Penitent/* baa not 
lyM to oopy tbe fault I bare pointed out. Ilia 
HvBlio is a much finer chnracterthan bia Altamoot, 
JM W it bqt a puppet wb<rn compared with Maa- 
naigerr'a Bomoot. CtimtoU, '^ llie Muid of Honour/' 
too apoat debghtfui character; her fidelity, gene* 
roeitj, dignity of mantiers, and elevslioo of aenti- 
■MBla are 6(irly diaplaved, and nobly sustained 
ilia pity that tbe pnet thought bim- 
10 debaee all tbe othvr characters in 
n nn) i.r f .\ 4^ v ^If ber. There ia an admirable 
t of rt, in that ejttraragunt com- 

, und Combat.'' The Poet 
I Co m\uA tii«t ut of tbe writer whom he here 

> • * I haTO known him 
Froan biji irst joatb, but never vet obaerred, 
Ia aU ibe paavagce ot bia life ana fort noes* 
VlfUiea ao mix'd with vieea : ralii^at the world 

9ji^ttk9 him, 
6nt Leral ia bia gifia too, 

Bti' al expense. 

A l*«iv^ v^i'jiiK.-iir^i , .III impotent loTer 
Of wvoieiL for • iaah, but, bia firea quenched, 
tlasisf •§ deadly : Act, II L ec. ii. 

Almm aod Cenlenet, in ** The Very Woman/' 



W eofieil tr^m ixatore» and therefore never obso- 
Im*. Tkay apptv, like many far ou rite characters 
to our pnaciiC eomedy, amiable in tbrir Lempers, and 
m tlMr •Uacbtnenta, but capricit^ua, and im- 
«f flOottd* M«ji)itjt^i'r, with unusual charity, 
a pb) aiciiui in a reapeetable point of 
play. W« are agreeably interested in 
'*, who baa all tbe good nature of Terence's 

* "Th« Gaatili4ti." 




Mieto, with more apirit. His picture of country 
sporta may he viewed with delight, even by tboio 
mbo might not relibb the re&Iiiy : 

nae before the auD, 
Then make a breakfaat of iJie morninfr dew, 
S^^rved op bj nature on aome graasy hill ; 
You'll find it nectar. 

In ** Tbe City Madam" we are presented with tbe 

character of a fiuisbed hypocrite, but ao artfullj 
drawn, that be appears to be rntlier governed by 
external circumstances, to v^hich he odnpts himN^lf, 
than to act, like Moliere a Tartu iTe, from a forruul 
system of wickedtieaa. His huiuihty ond henevo- 
l^noe, while he appears aa a ruined man, nnd aa hit 
brother V aer rant, are evidently produced by the 
presatire of bia miafortunes, and be di^icorera a 
taraeoeu, aroidat the inauUa of his relations, that 
indicstea an inherent bajeness of diapoaition*. — 
Wben be is informed that hia brother haa retired 
from tbe world, and haa left him his immense for- 
tune, be seeaui it firat to apprehend a deception ; 

O my good lord ! 
Thia heap of wealth which vou possess me of. 
Which to a wordly man had b fen a blessing. 
And to the meaaenger might with justice challenge 
A kind of adoration, i 9 to me 
A curse I cannot thank you for ; and much leai 
Rejoice in that tranquillity of mind 
Aly bratlier'a vows tutist purchase. I hare made 
A dear e:xchaoge with him : he now enjoya 
My peace and pOTerty, tbe trouble of 
Hia wealth conferr'd on me, und that a burtbea 
Too heavy for my weak abouldera. 

Act III, BO. lit 

Oo receiving tbe will, be begins to promise un- 
bounded lenitj to his servants, and makes pro» 
fesaions and promiaea to the ladies who used bim 
ao cruelly in biji adversity, which appear ut liist to 
be ironical, though they take them to bo sincere 
He does not display himself till ho has visited bia 
wpolib, tbe sight of which dazzlea and n^toniahea 
bim 50 far aa to throw bim off bis guard, and lo 
render him iuaolent. Maasinger displnyH a know* 
led^ of man, not very uauol with dramaiic writers, 
while he represents the same person as prodigal of 
a smdl fortune in hiayuulli, servile and hypocritical 
in his djatreaaea, arbitrary and mpacioua in tbe 
poseession of wraith suddenly acquired : for tbose 
seeming changes of cberacter depend on tbe same 
diapositioD variously influenced ; 1 tnena on m base 
and feeble mtnd, incapable of resisting tbe power of 
external ctrcumstsacei. In order, however, to 
prepare ut for tbe extravagances of thia cbamcter, 
after he ia enriched, the poet dehneates bis exces- 
ftive transports on viewing hia wi^altb, in a speecb 
which cnnnot be injured by a comparisoQ witb any 
solihiquy in our language : 

'Twaa no fantastic object, but a truth, 
A real truth ; nor dream : I did not slumber^ 
And could wake ever witb a brooding eye 
To gaxeupon't! it did endure the touch, 
I saw and felt it ! Y«t whsit I beheld 
And bandied olV, did sn (ninscend belief, 
(My wonder ojtd aatontHhmeal pass'd o*er)i 
I faintly could give credit to my senses. 

* Sceparlkalaily hliteldoqay, Ati 111. Sc. lb 



Thou dumb mtgioiaii^^Titkriig out a keylt — ^ihftt 

wttbout n chiuin 
DidVt make my entrance easy, to possess 
What wis« men wJ»)i and toil tot ! Hennes* 

moly, 
Stbylla'a golden bnugb, the great elixir, 
Imflgioed only by tbe ftlcbyaoiit, 
CompAred wiib thee wre ihidowa,— tbou the 

siibiiiance, 
And ganrdion of felicity ! No marrel 
Wy brotbor made thy place of rest bis boBOtn^ 
I'bou being the kp«p«r of Uts beiirt, a mistress 
To be bugg'd ever ! In b^'-comer« of 
This Mcred room, siker in bags, be«p*d ap 
IJke bUlets saw'd and ready for the fire, 
Unwonhy to bold fe1Iowi>bip wiib bright gold 
Thai flow'd about the room, conceal'd itself. 
There needs no arti^citl light ; the splendour 
Makes a perpetunl day there, night and darlrneaa 
By that sttll-burning lamp for ever bmiUh'd ! 
But when, guided by that, my eyej had made 
Discovery of the ca^ketp, and they open'd, 
FmcJi sparkling diamond from iitclf ihot forth 
A pyramid qfjhma^ and in the n^oj 
Fitd it a glcrioutttnr, and made the plact 
Heavtn'» abitract or epitome f — mbtea, sapphires* 
And ropet of oriental pearl ^ thcM teei), 1 could 

not 
But look on gold with contempt** And yet I 

found 
What weik crediiUty could hire no faith in, 
A tressura firwceadiog tbeM : h**re lay 
A minor bound fast in a skin of parchment, 
The wax continuing hard, the acres meltiag \ 
Here a sure deed of gift for « market town. 
If not redeem 'd this day, which i« not in 
The tinthrift's power ; there being scarce one abire 
In WeJea or England where my moaiea are not 
Lent out at usury, the certain hook 
To draw in more. 1 am sublmied I ip-oaa earth 
Supports me not; 1 walk on air! Who's 

there I 

EntMrL(*rd Lacy uiih S»> John FnucAL,5irMAtrHiCK 
Lacv, and Plkuti', duguited at Indian*, 
ThieTea ! raiae the street ! tbieT^a I 

Act III. ac. iii 

It was a great effort, by which sucb a train of vio- 
lent emotions, and beautiful images was drawn, with 
the strictest propriety, from the indulgence of a psji- 
aion to which other poeta can only give interest in 
its anxieties and disappointments* Every stsntiiaeoC 
ID this fine soliloquy is touched with the bund of a 
master ; the apeaker, overcome by the splendour of 
bia acquisitions, can acarcely persuade himself that 
ibe avdnt la real \ ** it is no fantasy, but a truth ; a 
riial triJtb, no dream ; he does not slumber \* the 
natural language of ono who strives to convince 
himself that be is fortunate beyond alt probable 
eitpectation ; for " he could wake ever to ga^e upon 
bia treaaure ;" again be reviirts to his assurences ^ 



* to thetie ^Dotxckinj th« pitKiiut f i!l)U»ik iiaa Iwea bUherto 
rollowtij, Df '^ 0f Mr. M. 

BlAbiti'iit III 1^ '*jry Id iiTiif 

on \he pir«*cnii i n' ito ih liia 

exc«p'tLuo tu ihb {i|{;uc(dil LJ(ii<.U« tuc ^'i •' « 

lioo. Tlir rci.ri«r wtto wbiif^i to know \ •■ 

rvalty K^vrii by r>i< Po«i,»ii)iiit inrn tii j i ^ 

fvUl Anil Ui«m ta be si (tu^ia^ ind litiiiMAUUAUA a& uiy ptrt 
Of tbe «pc«cb.— Euifoa. 



" it did <>ndure the touch , be saw and f«U tt" 
These broken exclamations aud anxious repedtiofiSf \ 
are the pure voice of nature. Recovering from bis 
aatonisihment, his mind dilutes with the value ofbii 
possessions* and tbe poet 6nely directs the whole 
gratitude of this mean character to the key of faia ( 
stores. In the description which follows, there isa j 
striking climax in sordid luxury i that paaaag* wh^m I 

Each sparkling diamond from itself shot forth 
A pyramid of flames^ and in the roof 
Fix'd it a gloiioua star, and made the place 
Heavea*a abstract, or epitome ! 

thoygb founded on a false idea tn natnral bisicr 
long since exploded, is amply excused by the sin* 
gular and beautiful image which it presenta. The | 
contemplation of bis enormous wealth, still ampU'> ] 
fied by his fancy, transports him at length to a degree J 
of frenzy ; and now seeing strangers approach, h^i 
cannot conceive them to come upon any design but] 
that of robbing him, and with the appeasing of bttj 
ridiculous alarm, this storm of passion subsides, J 
which stands unrivalled in its kind in dramsci« | 
history. The soliloquy possesses a very uncommon ] 
beauty, that of forcible dencription united with I 
passion and character. I should scarcely besiratt 1 
to prefer the description of Sir John Frugal's counl*! 
ing-house to Spenser's boose of riches* 1 

It is very remarkable, that in this passsge the 
versification is so exact (two lines only excepted), 
and the diction eo pure and elegant, thai, altbougb j 
much more than a century has ekp&ed since it was 1 
written, it would be, perhaps, impossible to alter thtti 
measure or laognsge without injury » and certainljr rerf I 
difficult to produce an equal length of hlanlt rerttJ 
from any modern poet, which should bear a comparii* 1 
Bon with Masi»ioger'8,even in the mechanical part ofl 
its construction. This observatiom may be extended to [ 
alt our poet's productions : majesty, elegance, and 
sweetness of aiction predominate in them. It is 
needless to quote any single passage for proof of ^ 
this, because none of thoae which I am going j 
to iatrodace will afford any exception to tbii 
remarL Independent of character, the writings of | 
this great poet ubound with noble passages* It ii 
only in the productions of true poetical genius that 
we meet successful allusions to sublime natunl 
objects; the attempts of an inferior writer^ io this , 
kind, are either borrowed or disgusting. If Waa- 
stogor were to be tried by this rule alone, we must 
rank him very high ; a few instances will prove this* 
Theopbilus, speaking of Dioctcaian*a arrival, says, 
The mirches of great prinoof , 

Like to the motions of prodigeous meteors, 

Are step by sltp observed ; 

Virgin Marttfr, Act I. le. V 

Tbe iDtroductory circumstancea of a tbreateolng pieM 

of iateltij^iice, are 

but creeping billows. 
Not got to shore yet : lit. Act II, ««. ii- 

In the same play, we meet with this charming iniag«» 

applied to a modest young nohlemim : 

The sunbeams which the emperor throws t»pon him, 

Shine tliere but as in water, and gild bim 

Not with ono spot of pride : Jft» ■©• iii. 

No other figure could so happily illustrate tbe 

peace and purity of an ingenuous mind, uncorrupted 



ESSAY OK THE WRITINGS OF MAS9INGER, 



zstm 



r ftToar. Maninger aeemi food of this rbou$*hl ; 
» meeliritb a aimiW one in "Tbe Guardian .** 

I have •een thoM ejec irttb pleasant glancea pUjr 

Upon Adorio's^ tike Pboebe'ft sbinei 

Gildiog a cryattl river ; Act IV. ae, i. 

Iiere are two parallel paasMf«t in Sbakspeare^ to 
bom w« are probably tadebted for this, as well tui 
r maoy other fioe images of our poet. The fimt 
in " Tb* Winter's Tale ;" 

He saya he lores my daugbter : 
I llnnk 80 too : for nerer gaxed the moon 
UpOtt llie water, au bp'll stand and r«adt 
A* *t«r«re my daughter*! eyes. Act I V. ao« iv- 

b« aeoofid is ludicrous ; 

ii^. Voucbsare, bright moon, and these thy stars, 
to Abitie 
(Those clouds remoT'd) upon our irai*ry 
eyne, 
as- 0» tiio petitioner ! beg' a greater matter ; 

*l'hou now request^it bul moon-sbtne in the 



Lfivt't LabourU Lost, Act V. sc, ii. 
Mlowiog bnages are applied, I think, in a nevr 



as tbe sun, 
Tbou didst rise gloriously. kepl*st a constant 

courM 
In all fhy journey \ and now, in the evening, 
When ibou tbould'st pass with honouf to thy rest, 
Wiit tbou fail tike a meteor ? 

Virgin^MHTtyf,, Act V. so. ii* 

stimmer friendship, 
WbOM flatlenng leaves tbnt ahadowM tis in our 
Pf«fP«rity» with the least gust drop off 
la the iotujuji of ad verity. 

Maid fffUenouTt Act 11 T. sc* i> 

A the last quoted play, Camiota says, to perplexity, 
. • * Whit a sea 
Of meltiog ice I walk on ! Act III. sc. iv. 

A vefy ooblo figure, in the following |ia»sage, aeems 
orrowed from Shakapeare ; 

What a bridge 
Of glass I walk upon, over a riv^r 
Of certain ruin, mint own tttighti^ /^rs 
Crocking whttt ihouM tupp^rt me ! 

Th$ Bmiiman^ Acl IV. sc iii. 

Vtl read you matter deep and dangerous i 
A s ftill of peril nnd sd vent 'rout apirit, 
A a do o*er-w«Ik a current, rosring loud, 
On tbe uosteadfnst footing of a spear. 

lUnrv IF,, Part 1. Act L ic. iti. 

ijt eaiinol he denied that Masftinger has improved 

bis original: be cannot be said to borrow, 

properly lui to imitate. This remark may he 

ippUed to' many other pasaages : thus llarpax's 

BUcuacff, 

111 take tbee - - md hang thee 
In a conforled cbam of icicles 
in the frigid tone : 

TAs Virg\n'Mar\}fr, Act V. sc. i. 

'.M, derived from the same source with that passage 
Meaaure for Measure," where it is said to be 
a paoishmeot iii a future state. 



I 



- - - - to reside 
In thrilling regions of thick-rihbed ieet 
Again, in " The Old Law/* we meet with a psssage 
aimilar to a much celebrated one of Shukspeare'a, 
but copied with oo common hand : 

In my youth 
I wtis a soldier, no coward in my Age| 
I never turn*d my back upon ray foe ; 
1 have felt nature's winters, sicknesses, 
Y'et ever kept a lively sap in me 
To greet the cheerful sprwg of heal lb again. 

Act L sc. i. 

Though T look old, yet I am strong and lusty t 
For in my youth I never did apply 
Hot and rebellious liquors to ray blood; 
Nor did not with unbashful forehead woo 
The means of weakness and debility ; 
Therefore my age is as a lusty winter, 
Frosty, but kindly*. 

Ai You LikA It, Act. II. sc. ill* 

Our poet*s writioga are stored with line senti- 
ments, and tbe same observation which bus been 
made on Shakspeare's, holds true of our Author, that 
his sendmeots are so artfully introduced, that they 
api>eBr to come uncalled, and so force themselves on 
the mind of the apeakerf. In the legendary play of 
" Tbe Virgin-Martyr," Angelo delivera a beau- 
tiful sentiment, perfectly in tbe spirit of the piece: 

Look on the poor 
With gentle eyes, for in such habits, often, 
Angels desire an alms. 

When Francisco, in '* The Duke of Milan," suc- 
ceeds in hid designs against tbe life uf Marcelia, be 
remarks with exultation, that 

When he'a a suitor, that brings cunning arm'd 
With power, to be his advocates, the denial 
la a disease as killing as tbe plague. 
And chastity a clue that leads to death. 

Act IV. sc ii. 

Pisander, in '♦ The Bondman/* moratites the inso- 
letice of the slaves to their late tyraota, af^er the 
revolt, in a manner that lends strongly to inlereal 
us in his clia meter; 

Here tbey, that never see themselves, but in 
The glass of servile flatler^s might behold 
Tb© weak foundation upon which they build 
Their trust in human frailty. Happy are tJiose, 
That knowing, in their births, they are subject to 
Uncertain chungf, are still prepared, and arm'd 
For eitbf'r fortune : a rare principle, ^ 

And with much labour, learn d in wisdom ■ 

fchool ! 
For, as these bondmen, by their actions show 
That their prosperity, like too large a sail 
For their small bark of judgment, sinks thero with 
A ibre-ritiht gale of liberty, ere ihey reach 
The port they lang to touch at : so these wretches, 



• In to t]iprv»*ion of Arclmlaintu, in "The Boii'1iB»n;* 
we rtlicover, pcrtwpa, the oriRhi of *a lra«|C In " FaradlM 

— I — O'tr oarheadi, with lall ilrelch'd wiai*. 
Detinitlion hovcn. Tht Bitndmm, Act L te. UU 

Mittoii Bay* of Swiatt, 

//{« Mail broad vanns 

H« iprf«<1» for flight. 

t Hr». Monupi'i "" Ewny on Shakipeare. 



ESSAY ON TriE WRITINGS OF MAS8INGER, 



SwoIloQ with tlie fjiha opininn of tbetr wortb, 
And proud of blca&iu^a left tli<?in, nor. acquired j 
TIml did twlicvo thvy could *vitl» giant ftrras 
Futbom the eortli, and were above ibeir fates, 
Those borrow 'd bdpa tbnt did aujiport them, 

rnniab'd « 
Fidl of tbemfielires, nnd by unmimlj auffering, 
Betmy t!ieir proper weakueas. Act JIT. m. iiL 

His tomplumt of tbe bftrdsbips of Blayerymust Dot 
be entiidlj pnssed over : 

The noble horae, 
Thtti, in hiifierjf ttouthy/rom hit uuUnostrilt 
Neighed caurage to ha nder^ and brake through 
Groves of opposed pikes, bearing hU lord 
Safe to triumphant victory ; old or wounded 
Was set at liberty, and freed from service. 
The Athetiian mutei, that from the quarry drevr 
J^lnrble, hew'd for ihe temples of tbe g^ods, 
Theg^reat work ended, were dismissed and fed 
At tbe public cost ; nay» faithful dogs have found 
Their sepulchres j but roan, to man more cruel, 
Appointa no end to the suiferinga of his stare. 

/6,Aci IV. sc, it, 

Thesenieof degradation in a lofty mind, hurried 

into vice by a furious and irresiatible passion. 

is expressed very happily in " The Reaegndo/' by 

Douuaa : 

What poor means 
Ulust 1 make use of now ? anri fiattersuch^ 
To whom, till 1 belrav*d my Hbertv, 
One gracious look of mine would bare erected 
An altar to my service ! Act IL sc. i. j 

Again, ! 

that I should blush i 
To «peftk what 1 so much desire to do ! 

When Mathias, in '* The Picture,'* is informed by 
iho magical akill of bis friend, Ihnt bis wife's bonour 
ia ia danger, his £rat exclamations have ut least us 
much aeutiment as passion ; 

- - It is not more 
Impoaaibfe in nature for gross bodies. 
Deace&ding of themselves to hang in the air; 
Or with my aingle arm to underprop 
A falling tower : nay, in its violent coune 
To stop the lightnine^, tbtin lo stay a woman 
Hurried by two furies, I u at end futehoodj 
In ber fuUi career to wickedness ! 

1 am thrown 

From a ateep rock headlong into a gulph 

Of misery, and bnd mysi^lf past hope, 

In the same moment that I apprebend 

That i am falling. Act IV. ao. i. 

But if Massinger doea not always exhibic tbe live- 
liest and most natural expressions of pajMion \ if, 
like moat other poets, he sometimes substitutes de- 
olamatioo for tliose expressions ; in deacription at 
least he puts forth all \m strength, and never 
disappoints ua of an astonisbiog exertion. We may 
be content to rest his character, in tlie deaortption 
of passion^ on the following single instance. In 
•• The Very Woman.'* Almtra*s Lover, Cardenea, is 
dangerously wounded in a qtiarrol, bv don Johii 
Antonio, wbo pays his editresses to her. Take, 
now, a description of Almira's frenzy on this event, 
whicb ibe prodigal author baa put into the mouth 
of a chambermaid : 



If the slumber'd, atrai^bt^ 
As if some dreadful vision had appear'd, 
Sbe started up. her hntr unbound, and, with 
Distracted looks, staring about tbe chambevj 
She tisksalotid, Wheti is MartlnoJ tchtn 
Httvt yon cmtceakd him ? aometimei Dttttit 

Antonio. 
Tremhting in tvery joint, her browt c^ntraet^d^ 
H&r fair fact a$ 'twtrg changed into a etine, 
her handi hftd up thux ; and, as if her worda 
Wife too big to find passage tbroagh her jhoiM]^ 
Sbe rjroans, then tbrows herself upon ber bed. 
Beating her breast. Act II. ac. iii 

To praise or to elucidate this passage, would be 
equally superfinousi ; I am acquamted with oothiag 
supBrior lo it, in descriptive poetry, aud it would !» 
bardy to brin^ any single instance in rompetitioo 
with it. Our poet is not less bappy io his descrip* 
tions of inanimate nature, and bis descriptions bear 
the peculiar stamp of true genius tn their beautiful 
conciseness. What an exquisite picture does be 
present in the compass of less than two lines I 

- yon hangiug clif, tbat glasses 
His rugged forehead in the neighbouring Idee. 

Renegadot Act H. 6<o* v* 
Thus also Dorotbi*a'« description of Paradise : 

There* $ a |^erpet^al spring, perpetual youth : 
No joint'benumbing cold, or scorching beet, 
Famine, nor age, bnve any being tbere. 

Z7«f Virgin Martyr^ Act IV. Sc. iii. 

After all the encomiums on a rural life, and after 
all the soothing sentiments and beautiful images 
larisbed on it by poets wbo never lived in the 
countrv, I^fnsaioger baa furnished one of the moat 
cliarmfng unborrowed descriptions that caa be pro^ 
duced on the subject ; 

Happy the golden mean [ bad T heeu bom 

In a poor sordid cottage, not curs'd up 

Witb expectation to command a court, 

I mighty like such of your couditioOf sweetest, 

Have tik'eit a safe and middle course, and not. 

As I sm now, against my choice, compelPd 

Or lo lie grovelling on the earth, or raised 

So high upon the pinnacles of state, 

Tbat I must either keep my height with danger^ 

Or fall with certain ruin 

» we might walk 
In solitary groves, or in choice gnrdens ; 
From the variety of curious flowers 
Contemplate nature's workmanship and wonders * 
And then, for change, near to the murmur of 
Some bubbling fountain, I might hear you ling, 
And, from tbe well-tuned accents of your tong«e» 
lu my imagination conceive 
With what melodious harmony a quire 
Of angels sing aboro tbeir Maker s praises. 
And then with cbaste discourse, as we retum*d. 
Imp feathers to the broken wings of time ;i— 

walk into 
The silent groves, and bear the amorous birds 
Warbling ttieir wanton notes ; here, a sure shade 
Of barren siccamorea, which tbe all-seeing sun 
Could not pierce through ; near that,an arbour hung 
W itti spreading eglantine ; there, a bubbling spring 
Watering a bank of bvacintbs and lilies ; 

77nf Gfwi Dafce ^ 'FfortiM*, Act 1. Sc. i. and 
Act IV, Sc. ti. 



J 



ESSAY ON THE WRITINGS OF MASSINGER. 



IM u» oppote to tbese peaceful and iogloriom ima- 
ges, tbe picture of a triumph by the same masterly 

- - - when she riews yon, 
Like a triumphant conqueror, carried through 
Tbe streeU of Syracuse, the glad people 
Pressing to meet you, and the senators 
Contending who shall heap most honours on you ; 
Tbe oxen, crown'd with garlands, led before you, 
Appointed for the sacrifice ; and the alurs 
fimoking with thankful incense to the gods : 
The soldiers chaunting loud hymns to your praise, 
The windows fill'd with matrons and with Tirgins, 
Throwing upon your head, as you pass by, 

Tbe choicest flowers, and silently inroking 
Tbe queen of lore, with their particular tows. 
To be thought worthy of yon 

tke Bondman, Act III. Sc. iw. 

Emy tbmg here is animated, yet erery action is ap- 
propnste: a painter might work after this sketch* 
without requiring an additional circumstance. 

Tbe speech of young Charalois, in the funeral pro- 
eesaion, if too metsphorical for his character and 
situatioii. is at least highly poetical : 

How Uke a silent stream shaded with night. 
And gliding sofUy with our windy sighs, 
MoTes the whole firame of this solemnity ! 

Whilst I, the only murmur in this mre 
Of death, thus hollowly break forth. 

Th§ Fatal Dowry, Act II. So. i. 

It may afford some consolation to inferior genius, 
to reman that even Massinger sometimes employs 
pedantic and OTcrstrained allusions. He was fond 
of displaying the little military knowledge he pos- 
s u sse d , whkh he introduces in the following 
passage, in a most extraordinary manner : one beau- 
tifttl image in it must excuse the rest : 

- - - were Margaret only fair. 
The cannon of her more than earthly form. 
Though mounted high, commanding all beneath it. 
And ramm'd with bullets of her sparkling eyes, 
Cf all the bulwarks that defend your senses 
Could batter none, but that which guards your sight. 
But - - - - 

when you feel her touch, and breath 
Uko a it/t tpertem wind, whgn it gUdet o*er 
Arabia, crmting gunu and ipiea ; 
And in the Tan, the nectar of her lips. 
Which you must taste, bring the battalia on. 
Well arm'd, and strongly lined with her discourse, 

Hippolytus himself would lesTO Diana, 
To follow such a Venus. 

A New Way to Pay Old Debu, Act III. Sc. L 

What pity, that he should erer write so extrsTa- 
gantly, who could produce this tender and delicate 
image, m another piece : 

What's that? oh, nothing but the whispering wind 
Breathes through yon churlish hawthorn, that grew 

rude. 
As if it chid the gentle breath that kiss'd it. 

Tho Old Law, Act IV. Sc. ii. 

I wish it could be added to Massinger's just praises, 
that be had preserred his scenes from the impure 
dialogue which disgusts us in most of our old 



writers. But we may observe, in defence of his 
failure, that several causes operated at that time 
to produce such a dialogue, ana that an author who 
subsisted by writing, was absolutely subjected to 
the influence of those causes. The manners of the 
age permitted great freedoms in language; tbe the- 
atre was not frequented by the best company : the 
male part of the audience was by much tbe more 
numerous ; and what, perhaps, had a greater efi*ect 
than any of these, the women's parts were performed 
by boys. So powerful was the effect of those cir- 
cumstances, that Carlwrigbt is the only dramatist of 
that age whose works are tolerably free from inde- 
cency. Massinger's error, perhaps, appears more 
strongly, because his indelicacy has not always the 
apology of wit ; for, either from a natural deficiencv 
in that Quality, or from the peculiar model on which 
he had formed himself, his comic characters are less 
witty tlian those of his contemporaries, and when 
he attempts wit, he frequently degenerates into 
buffoonery. But he has showed, in a remarkable 
manner, the justness of his taste, in declining the 
practice of quibbling ; and as wit and a quibble were 
supposed, in that age, to be inseparable, we are per- 
haps to seek, in his aversion to the prevailing fully, 
the true cause of his sparing employment of wit 

Our Poet excels more in the description than in 
the expression of passion ; this may be ascribed, in 
some measure, to his nice attention to the fable : 
while bis scenes are managed with consummate skill, 
the lighter shades of character and sentiment are 
lost in the tendency of each part to the catastrophe. 

The prevailing beauties of his productions are 
dignity and elegance; their predominant fault is 
want of passion. 

The melody, force, and variety of his versification 
are every where remarkable : admitting the force of 
all tbe objections which are made to tbe employment 
of blank verse in comedy, Massinger possesses 
charms sufficient to dissipate them all. It is, indeed, 
equally diff'erent from that which modern authors 
are pleased to style blank verse, and from tbe flip- 
pant prose so loudly celebrated in tbe comedies of 
tbe day. The neglect of our old comedies seems 
to arise from other causes, than from the employ- 
ment of blank verse in their dialogue ; for, in 
general, its construction is so natural, that in the 
mouth of a good actor it runs into elegant prose. 
The frequent delineations of perishable manners, in 
our old comedy, have occasioned this neglect, and 
we may foresee tbe fate of our present fashionable 
pieces, in that which hasattended i onson's, Fletcher's, 
and Massinger's: they are either entirely overlooked, 
or so mutilated, to fit them for representation, as 
neither to retain the dignity of the old comedy, nor 
to acquire the graces of the new. 

The changes of manners have necessarily pro- 
duced very remarkable effects on th«>atrical perform- 
ances. In proportion as our best writers are 
further removed from the present times, they 
exhibit bolder and more diversified characters, 
because the prevailing manners admitted a fuller 
display of sentiments in the common intercourse of 
life. Our own times, in which the intention of 
polite education is to produce a general, uniform 
manner, afford ifttle diversity of character for the 
stage. Our dramatists, therefore, mark the dis- 
tinctions of their characters, by incidents more than 
by sentiments, and abound more in striking situ- 
ations, than interesting dialogue. In the old 



ESSAY ON THE WRITINGS OF MASSINGER. 



comedy, the eatastropbe is oceasiofied, in genntl, 
by a change in the mind of some principal cluiracter, 
artfully prepared, and caationsly conducted ; in the 
modem, the unfolding of the plot is effected by the 
OTertuming of a screen, the opening of a door, or 
by some other equally dignified machine. 

When we compare Massinger with the other 
dramatic writers ot his age, we cannot long hesitate 
where to place him. More natural in his charac- 
ters, and more poetical in his diction than Jonson 
or Cartwrigbt, more elerated and nenrous than 
Fletcher, the only writers who can be supposed to 
contest his pre-eminence, Massinger ranlEs imme* 
diately under Shakspeare himself. 

It must be confessed, that in comedy Massinger 
falls considerably beneath Shakspeare; his wit is 
less brilliant, and his ridicule less delicate and 
yarious; but he affords a specimen of elegant 



comedy*, of which there is no arehetyps m hit 
great predecessor. By the rules of a rery jadidoos 
critict, the characters in this piece appear to be of 
too elerated a rank for comedy: jret though 
the plot is somewhat embarrassed by this drcnm- 
stance, the diverait^, spirit, and eonsistenoy of the 
chsracters render it a most interesting jmj. In 
tragedy, Massinger is rather eloquent than pathecie; 
3ret he is often as majestic, and geneiallj man 



elegant than his master ; he is as powerful a ralsr 
of the understanding as Shakspeare is of the pas- 
sions: with the disadrantages of suooeeding that 
matchless poet, there is stfll much origbial beauty in 
his works; and the most eztensire aoquaintanct 
with poetry will hardly diminish the pleasure of • 
reader and admirer of Massinger. 

• "The Great Dake ot Florence." 

f See the ** EsMy on the FroTiBcssoT the Drama." 




COMMENDATORY VERSES ON MASSINGER. 



wron Tins wobe (the dvib op milan) op his bkloved 

fraiSNO THB AUTHOR. 

I AM snapt already, and may go my way ; 

The poet-critic's come ; I bear him say 

This youth's mistook, the author's work's a play. 

He eoald not miss it, he will straight appear 
At sach a bait ; 'twas laid on purpose there 
To uke the Termin, and I hare him here. 

Sirrah ! yon will be nibbling ; a small bit, 
A syllable, when you're in the hungry fit. 
Will serre to stay the stomach of your wit 

Foot, knare, what worse, for worae cannot deprare 

thee; ^ 

And were the deril now instantly to hare thee. 
Thou eanst not instance such a work to save thee, 

'Mongst all the ballads which thou dost compose. 
And what thou stylest thy poems, ill as those. 
And Toid of rhjrme and reason, thy worse prose. 

Yet like a rude jack-sance in poesy. 

With thoughts unblest, and hand unmannerly* 

Ranshing branches from Apollo's tree ; 

Thou mak'st a garland, for thy touch unfit. 
And boldly deck'st thy pig-brain'd sconce with it. 
As if it were the supreme head of wit : 

The blameless Muses blush ; who not allow 
That reverend order to each vulgar brow. 
Whose sinful touch profanes the holy bough. 

Hence, shallow prophet, and admire the strain 
Of thine own pen, or thy poor cope-mate's vein j 
This piece too curious is for thy coarse brain. 

Here wit, more fortunate, is join'd with art. 
And that most secret frenzy bears a part. 
Infused by nature in the poet's heart. 

Here may the puny wits themselves direct, 
Heie may the wisest find what to affect, 
And kings may learn their proper dialect. 



On then, dear friend, thy pen, thy name, shall spread,. 
And shouldst thou write, while thou shalt not be- 

read. 
The Muse must labour, when thy hand is dead. 

W.B*. 

THE author's PRIEND TO THE READER, ON ** THB 
BONDMAN." 

The printer's ha«te calls on ; I must not drive 

My tmie past six, though I begin at five. 

One hour I have entire, and 'tis enough. 

Here are no gipsy jigs, no drumming stuff. 

Dances, or other trumpery to delight. 

Or take, by common way, the common sight. 

The author of this poem, as he dares 

To stand the austerest censures, so he cares 



• W. B.] TiB tbe opiDk>n of Mr. Re«d, that the iolUaU 
W. B. BUnd for WUIiam Brown, the author of " BrUtannU't 
PaBtorals. I see no reason to think otherwise, except that 
Ben Jonson, whom W. B. seems to attack all throngh this 
poem, had greatly celehrated Brown's "Pastorals;" bat, 
hideed, Johson was so capricions in his temper, that we 
mnat not soppose him to be very constant in his friendships. 
Davibs. 

This is a pretty early specimen of the Judgment which 
Davies brought to the elucidation of his work. Not aline, 
not a syllable of this little poem can, by any violence, be 
tortured into a reflecti(>n on Jonson, whom he supposes to 
be '* attacked all through it I'* In 1612, when dt was written, 
that great poet was at the height of his reputation, the euvv, 
the admiration, and the terror, of his contemporaries : would 
a " young" writer presume to term such a man " fool, 
knave,*' &c.? would he — but the enquiry is too absurd for 
farther pursuit. 

I know not the motives which induced Mr. Reed to at- 
tribute these stanzas to W. Brown; they may, 1 think, with 
some probability, be referred to W. Basse, a minor poet,, 
whose tribute of praise is placed at the head of the commen- 
datory verses on Shakspeare ; or to W. Barksted, author of 
" Myrrha tlie Mother of Adonis," a poem, 1607. Barksted. 
was an actor, as appears from a Ust of •* the principal come- 
dians" who represented Jonson's " Silent Woman ;»» and* 
therefore, not less likely than the author of " Briunnia's 
Pastorals,** to Ba>. that, 

** in tbe way of poetry* now a-days, 

Of all that arc called works the best are playi." 

There is not much to be said for these introductory poemr, 
which must be viewed rather as pro«>fs of friendship than 
of talents. In the former editions thoy are given with 
degree of ignorance and Inattention truly i 



COMMENDATORY VERSES ON MASSINGER. 



A a little what it it ; bia cwn bf«t way- 
la to be judg^e, awd author of liii play ; 
It is bis knowlefjge makes him ilms flvcure ; 
Kor does bo writ« to |kleftSL'. but to emlure» 
And, reader, if vou have tiisbatd^d a aihilliug, 
To ^e thid worthy ^tory. aikd ana willing 
To have a larg^e increase, ii ruleO by me, 
Vou may a merchant and a poet he. 
Ti9 granted for your twelvp-|>©nce you did ait, 
And »ee, and bear, and underiitand not yet« 
1'ho author, lo a Chriatisiii pity, takes 
Care of your good, and prints it for your sakes, 
Tbttt stich as will but renture iixpenoe moro» 
lllay know what they but miw and beard before i 
Twill not be money lost, if jou can read 
('Tbere'a all tb«) doubt now), but your ^ina exceed, 
If you can undenland, and you ure made 
Fre« of the freest oiid tho nubtest trade ; 
And in the way of poetry, now-a-Uaya, 
Of all tbat are'caird woVka the b««t ata playa. 

W, B. 

TO jiv iioNounEt> FRIEND, HAaTEn pniLir ViS^ 

aiNGER, UPON ltl£ *' RtNtOAtXj/* 

Dabblcri in poetry, tbat only can 
Court thia weak lady, or that gentleman. 
With aotno luo»u wit in rhyme ^ 
Olbyrs that fright the time 
Into belief, with mighty wordi thrit tear 
A passtige ihroui^h the ear; 
Or nicer men, 
Thst through a perspective will sue a play. 
And use it the wronjr way 
(>iQt worth thy pen), 
Though all iheir pnde exalt ibem, cannot be 
Competent judges of tby lines or thee. 

I must confess I bare no public nome 
To reacue judgment, no pootic fiame 
To dreau thy Muse witb praise. 
And Fhccbue hia own buya ; 
Yet 1 commend this poem, and dare tell 
1 he world 1 liked It Well j 
And if there be 
A tribe who in their wiadoma dare aceuie 
This off?«prin^ o[ thy Mute, 
Let then» n^jree 
Couipire one comedy, and they will say, 
*Tis easier to commejid tboji luuke a pUj< 

Jambs SniRULY*. 

TO Ita WORTH Y tniEKD, MABTCH FIITLII* UASStKCEA, OM 
ITlfl PLAY CAUL'o TUi- '*ltSMOAOO." 

The bosom of a friend cannot breath forth 

A tinttering phrase tq a[}4>ak the ooble worth 

01 bim tbat bath lodged in hia hoaest breast 

So largo a title : I, among the rest 

That honour thee, do oa\y seem to praise, 

Wajjiing the flowers of art to deck that bays 

Merit has croirn'd thy temples with* Know, 

friend, 
Thoug^b there are some who merely do commetid 

* Jaui^ SiiiBi.EY.] A will kiiawn cirjintiific nrUcr. 
Hit ^vorkf, if^lilch arc wty vuluminoiit, \u%^t nrver been 
«<t)irclrrl rii nti utilfiirn oftttl.ir), MJi'Ugh UJ>\\ fU'frvInx "^ 
It, Hi iM tn*uy i»f III i *omc, 

••y U»i I I him ctinjil |>wct. 

ii« ill"" H\u« mu'nv ' il «ftd 

pttblMtcii ill o vs.. hy Mr, tittfaitl htm.* lu 



To live i' the world's opinion sacb es oan 

Censure with judgment, no such piece of man 

Makes up ray spirit; where deacrt does HFe» 

Th*»re will I plant my wonder, and there give 

My best cndearours to build up his story 

1 btt truly merits. I did erer glory 

To behold virtue rich ; though cruel Fftte 

In scornful rodice does beat low their staM 

1 hnt best deserve ; when others that but knov 

Only to scribble, and no more, oft grow 

Great in tbeir favours that would seem to be 

Patrons of wit, and modest poesy ; 

Vet, with your abler friends, let me say tfata. 

Many mtiy strive to equal you, but miss 

Of your toir scope; this work of yours men may 

Throw in the face of envy, and then say 

I'o those, ibat are in greut men*8 thoughts mofi I 

bleat, 
Imitate this, and call that work year best. 
^'et wise men, in this, and too often err, 
\\ hen they their love before the work prefvr. 
Ifl should say more, some may blame me fur*C, 
Seeing your menu speak youj not report. 

Dhhtwi.' LAttm* 



TO mi oeah raiNKs the autiiob, ok tue " aoMAii 

ACTOR.'* 

I AM no great admirer of the plays, 
Poets, or actors, tljat are now»a.tiay« ; 
Yet, in this work of thine, me thinks, I see 
Sufficient reason for idolutry, 
EB4]b line thou host taught Caesar is as hi»^h 
As he could apeak, when jjroveling flattery. 
And his own pride (forgetting heuren's rod) 
By hia edicts styled himself great Lord and Ood, 
by thee,agiiiti, tho laurel crowns his head. 
And, thus revived, who can affirm him dead I 
Such power lies in this lofty etraiu as can 
Give swords and legions to Domitian : 
And wheu thy Paris pleads in the defence 
Of actors, every grace and excelleace 
Of ailment for that subject ore by thee 
Contracted ma sweet epitome. 
Nor do thy women the tired hearers vex 
With language no way proper to their seit. 
Just like a cunning painter thou let*s fall 
Copies more fair than tlie origiuiil, 
ril add but this : from all ilie modern pla3rs 
I'he stage hath lately born, this wins the bays; 
Atid if It come to trial, boldly look 
To carry it clear, thy witneaa being thy book. 

J • J 



IN rmLLlFI aiA5S[l»GliU TOkTJt. SLEHAtn-ISB ACTOftkM 
tlQiiA9iVM TYIMB KSCt^StJM. 

Afjr«EciJrov. 

EccK Philtppinnr celebrata Traga^dia Mus&e, 
iiuam Eu^eus Britouum Ilosciusf esfit, adeat. 



* T< J.) Coveier give» iUc*e ioiiiida lo Sir ThniiiAt J^y, 
or Je^y, to wliiuti <liv play i« rlt-iHeaieil : tie it, iirulMbtv 
right* 2^kr I'liouutt ^hu wf ** ii«> crr'iit iilMiiliier of ib« 
ntA)t»rtiU tlH)», when JuniKia* iililrlcy, Furti, tkc, wcr« 
In full vlnmir, wunld rK4» 1 autprct, be allujerilicr eamp- 
Inrtfl ll hv ciinlil Hltiirti Ihoav *>* onrti ' 

t Rowcint^] TI»U w«a J«i*tph Tiytur, whoie nsmft < 
111 R iiibACqurbl f»Mgc. 



COMMENDATORY VERSES ON MASSINGER. 



Semper fronde ambo Tireant Parnmeaide, aemper 

Liber ab mvidiv dendbus esto, liber. ^ 
Crebra pa{>yriTori aperaaa incendia peti, 

Tbaa,. ▼enum expositi tegmina auta libri : 
Net metuaa raocos, Momorum aibila, rhoncoaf 

Tam bard 08 nebulo ai tamen ullua eric. 
Nam totiea featia, actum, placuiaae tbeatria 

Quod liquet, boc, c'u8um» crede, placebit» opna. 

Tho. Goff*. 

to h» db8xr7iko fbtend, mr. philip ma8flinoib, 

UPOIf ma TRAOBOT " TBI ROMAN ACTOR." 

Paris, tbebeatofactora in bia age, 

AcU jet, and speaks upon our Roman stage 

Such lines by thee aa ao not derogate 

From Rome's proud heights, and her then learned 

atate. 
Nor great Domidan's favour ; nor the embraces 
Of a fair empreaa, nor those often graces 
Which from th' applauding theatrea were paid 
To Ilia brare action, nor his ashes laid 
In the Flaminian way, where people strow'd 
His grare with flowers, and MartiaFa wit bestow*d 
A lasting epitaph ; not all these same 
Do add ao much renown to Paris' name 
As this that thou present'st his history 
So well to us : for which, in thanks, would he 
(If that his soul, aa thought Pythagoras, 
Could into anjr of our actora pass) 
Life to these lines by action gladly give. 
Whose pen so well has made his story live. 

Tho. MAYf. 

VrOV MR. MASSDfGER HIS " ROMAN ACTOR." 

To write is grown so common in our time. 
That every one who can but frame a rbjrme. 
However monstrous gives himself that praise 
Which only he should claim that may wear bavs 
Bui their applause whose judgments apprehend 
The weight and truth of what they dare commend. 
In this besotted age, friend, 'tis thy glory 
I'hat here thou hut outdone the Roman story. 
Domitian's pride : his wife's lust unabated 
In death ; with Paria merely were related 
Without a soul, until thy abler pen 
Spoke them, and made them speak, nay, act again 
In such a height, that here to know their deeds. 
He may become an actor that but reada. 

John Ford|. 

UPON MR. MASSINGER's " ROMAN ACTOR." 

LoNG*8T thou to see proud Ciesar aet in state, 
I J is morning greatneaa, or his evening fate. 
With admiration here behold him fall. 
And yet outlive his tragic funeral : 
For 'tis a queation whether Caesar'a glory 
Rose to ita height before or in this story ; 

* Tno. Gorr.] Goff was a manor consklenible learning 
and highly ctlebrated for his oratorical powers, whicii he 
tofticd to the t>est of purposes, in the service of the cbarch. 
He also wrote several plays; but ihesc do no honour to his 
memory, being fall of the most ridiculous bombast. 

X Tho. Mat.] May translated Lucan into Knglish verse* 
aad was a candidate for the office of Poet l<a ureal with Sir 
William DavenanL He wrote several plays; his Latin 
" Sapplement to Locan" b mnch admired by the learned. 
Davus. 

1 iosN Ford.] Ford was a very good poet. We have 
eleven pi»ya of his writing, none of which are without 
merit. The writera of his time opposed him wiili some sue- 



Or whether Paris, in Domitian'a favour. 
Were more exalted that in thia thy labour. 
Each line speaks him an emperor, every phrase 
Crowns thy deserving temples with the bays ; 
So that reciprocally both agree, 
Thou liv'st in him, and he surrives in thee. 

Robert Harvey. 



TO HIS LONG-KNOWN AND LOVED FRIEND, MR. PUIUP 
MA88INOBR, UPON HIS " ROMAN ACTOR.*' 

If that my lines, being placed before thy book. 
Could make it aell, or alter but a look 
Of some sour censurer, who*s apt to sav, 
No one in these times can produce a play 
Worthy hia reading, since of late, 'tis true. 
The old accepted are more than the new : 
Or, could I on some spot o'the court work so, 
To make him speak no more than he doth know ; 
Not borrowing from his flatt'ring flatter'd friend 
What to dispraise, or wherefore to commend : 
Then, gentle friend, I should not blush to be 
Rank'd 'moogst those worthy ones which here I see 
Ushering this work ; but why I write to thee 
Is, to profess our love's antiquity. 
Which to ibis tragedy muat give my test. 
Thou hast made many good, but this thy best. 

Joseph Taylor. 



TO MR. PHILIP MASSINOER, MY MVCH-BSTBEM O FRIEND, 
ON HIS " GREAT DUES OF FLORENCE." 

Enjoy thy laurel ! 'tis a noble choice. 

Not by the suffrages of voice 
Procured, but by a conquest so achieved , 

Aa that thou beat at full relieved 
Almost neglected poetry, whose bays, 

Sullied by childish thirst of praise, 
Wither'd into a dullness of despair. 

Had not thy later labour (heir 
Unto a former industry) mitde known 

This work, which thou mayst call thine own. 
So rich in worth, that th' ignorant may grudge 
To find true virtue is become their judge. 

George Donne. 



TO THE DESERVING MEMORY OF THIS WORTHY WORE 
("TUB GREAT DUKE OF FLORENCE") AND THE AU« 
TBOR, MR. PUIUP MASSINGER. 

Action gives many poems right to live . 

This piece gave life to action ; and will give 

For state and language, in each change of age, 

To time delight, and honour to the atage. 

Should late prescription fail which fames that seat 

This pen might style the Dulce of Florence Great. 

Let many write, let much be printed, read 

And censur'd ; toys no sooner hatch 'd than dead. 

Here, without blush to truth of commendation. 

Is proved, how art hath outgone imitation. 

John Ford. 

to my worthy friend, the aitthor, upon his tragi 
comedy " the maid of honour." 

Was not thy Emperor enough before 
For thee to give, that thou dost g^ve us more? 
I would be just, but csunot : that I know 
I did not slander, this I fear I do. 



i' XL 



COMMENDATORy VERSES ON MASSINGER. 



Bui pantoQ me, if I oS«nd ; Uijr fira 
Let equal po«i8 praia«r while ] udmire- 
If lUiy ftay that 1 enough hure wnt» 
They are thy foes, and enTy at tliv wit. 
B4;tievo not tUem. nor me *, they know thy liaea 
Deserve applou^e, but speak against their miads^ 
J, out of ju&uce, would commeDd tby pby, 
Bui (friend forefivf*iJn«) *tb above my way. 
Que word, and 1 huve doo«i (nud from my heart 
Would I could jipeiik the whole truib, not the part 
6«caujie *tis tbine)» tt hencefortb wUL be said. 
Not tLe iMuid of Honour^ but the Ilonour'd Maid. 
Aston Cockatiri*. 



TO mS WORTVY FRIENDt MR, PHILIP UASStKOEIl, UPON 
n<a TEAGI-OOM£1}Y, Sl YLEO ** mE PICTtJaB'' 

MvniiTfva I bear aome busy critic say, 

Who*a this tbat stngly ushers in this tday ? 

'Tia boldness^ I confess, and yet perchance 

It may be construed love, not arrogance. 

I do not here upon this leaf intrude. 

By praising one to wrong a muUituda. 

Nor do I think that all are tied to be 

(Forced by my rote) iu the same creed with me. 

Each man hiitli liberty to judge ; free will, 

At his own pleasure to spenk good or ill. 

But yet your Muse alrcady^s known so well 

Her worth will hardly liud an infidel. 

Here she hath Urawu a picture which shall lie 

Safe for all fuiure times to practice by i 

Whatever shall follow are but copies, aome 

Preceding works were types of thia to come* 

Til your own lively iiuagi*. and seta forth. 

When we are dust, the beauty of your worth. 

He til at tihtill duly read, and not advance 

Aught that is here, betrays bis ignorance : 

Yet whosoe'er beyond desert commends, 

Erra more by much than he that repreheiuU; 

For praise misplaced, and honour aet npoo 

A wortblesa subject, is detraction, 

I cannot sin so here, unless I went 

About to style you only excellent. 

Apollo*! B:ift« are not confined alone 

To your OLspose, be hath more heira than ooa^ 

Adu such as do derive from his blest baud 

A large inlieritance in the poeta' laud, 

A a well aa you ; nor are you, I assure 

Myaelfi ao env^ioua, but you can endure 

Tohmrlbetr praise , whose worth long since was 

known, 
And justly too preforr'd before your own, 
I know you'd take it for an injury, 
(And 'tis a weli-becomitig modesty), 
To be parallerd with fJeaumont, or to bear 
Your name by some too partial friend writ near 
(Jnequaird Junson; being men whose fire 
At dtatance, and with reverence, yon admits;. 
Do so, and you shall Hnd your gain will be 
Much more, by yielding ibera priority, 
Than with a certainty of loss, to hold 
A fiKjlisb competition r *tis too bold 
A task, and to be ahunnM : nor shall my praise. 
With too much weight, ruin what it would nitsei 

1 U0MA9 jAXm 



* AsToa Cocftaiira.] See the latrodaclloa pamim. 



To MY WORniY FRIEMD, Mr. rtltttr MASSI^Ctta 

cpoN ma raAoi-coiaa&Y callcc the " LMPsaoa of 

Till EAST," 

SirrrER, my friend, these lines to bare the grace, 

That they may be a mole on Venus' face. 

There is no fiatilt about thy book but this. 

And it wilt ahow bow fuir thy Emperor is, 

Thou more tJian poet ! our Mercury « that art 

Apollo's messenger, and dost impart 

His best expressions to our ears, live long 

To purify th*f slighted English tongue, 

Thit both the nymphs of Tagua and of Po 

May not henceforth despise our language so* 

Nor could they do it, if they e*er had seen 

The matchless features of the Fairy Queen ; 

Read Jonson, Shakspoare, Beaumont, Fletcher, or 

Thy neatdimned pieces, skilful Massinger. 

Thou knowu, all the Caaultans must confess 

Ve^o de Carpio thy foil, and bless 

His tanguoge can translate thee, and the fine 

Italian wits yipltl to this work of thine. 

Were old Pythagoras alive agaiti, 

In thee he might find reason to maintain 

His paradox. iLat souls by transmigralton 

I n divers bodies make their habication ; 

And more, than all poetic souls yet Icnownv 

Are met in thee, contracted into one. 

Thi.4 is a truth, not an applause : I am 

One that at furthest distance views tby fiame. 

Yet may prououuce, tliat, were Apollo dead, 

In thee hia poesy might all be r«iaa. 

Forbear thy modesty : thy Emperor's vein 

Shall live admired, when poets shall complain 

It is a potlern of loo high a reach, 

And what great Pbffibua might the Mupea teach. 

Let it live, therefore, and ] dure be bold 

To say, it with the world shall not grow old. 

A»TON Cocaai^b 



a Fsis?rn to the Aumon, asu wiLt-wiantt « 

TUB RBAOCR, 0?f TUR KXFEAOR OW '* TUg KAST/' 

Who with a liberal hand freely bestows 

His bounty on all comers, and yet knows 

No ebb, nor formal limits, but proceeds 

Continuing his hospitable deeds, 

With daily welcome shall advance his name 

Beyond the art of fiattery ; with such fame 

May yours, dear friend^ compare. Your muse hath 

been 
Most bountifult and I have often seen 
The witling seats receive such a« have fed, 
And risen thankful ; yet were some misled 
By NSCKTY, when this fair banquet came 
(So I allude) their ■tomaoha were to blame, 
|3ec;kus(} that excellent, sharp, and poignant satio« 
Was wanting, they arose without due grace, 
Lo ! ihna a aecond time he dotb invite you : 
Be your own carvers, and it may deUglit you. 

iouy CLAvatt.. 



■TO MY raUB FRlEWl} AND RftfTSMAftf, PlflLlP «IABai««' 
OEa, 0>l MIS *' EMPEROH OF IHl I Art." 

T TAts: not upon trust, nor nm I led 
By an implicit fnith : what I have read 
U'ith an impartial censure 1 dare crown 
With a deserved applmuse, however cried down 
By such whose malice will not let them be 
Equal to any piece limnM forth by thee. 



ttiSlifa 



i 



COMMENDATORY VERSES ON MASSINGER. 



Contemn their poor detraction, and still write 
Poems like this, that can endure the light. 
And search of ahler judgments. This will 
Th^ name ; the othera' scandal is thy praise. 
This, oft perused by grave wits, shaU liTe long. 
Not die as soon as past the actor's tongue, 
The late of alighter toys ; and I must say, 
Tis not enough to make a pasaine plav 
In a true poet : works that should enaura 
Must hare a genius in them strong as pure. 
And such is thine, friend : nor shall time deroitr 
The weU'form'd features of thy Emperor. 

WlLUAM SmOLSION. 



TO TBB mOIKIOUB AVTflOR MASTBB PHILIP MA8- 

smou, 09 nis ooiikdt called " ▲ hxw wat to 
PAT OLD Dnrs." 

Tis a rare charity, and thou coaldst not 
So proper to the time hare found a plot : 
Yec whilst you teach to pay, you lend; the age 
We wretehee lire in, that to come the stage, 
The thronged audience that was thither brought, 
Inrited by your fame, and to be taueht 
Thia lesaon ; all are grown indebted more. 
And when they look for freedom, ran in score. 
It was a cruel courtesy to call 
In hope of liber^, and then, inthrall. 
The nobles are your bondmen, gentry, and 
AU besides those that did not understand. 
They were no men of credit, bankrupts boro« 
Fit to be trusted with no stock but scorn* 



Yon hare more wisely credited to such, 
That though they cannot pay, can value much, 
I am your debtor too, but, to my shame. 
Repay you nothing back but your own fame. 

Henry Moody*. 'Miles. ' 
i 

to his FBIXND the author, on '* A NEW WAY TO 
PAY OLD DBBTS. 

You may remember how you chid me, when 

I rank'd you equal with those glorious men, 

Beaumont and Fletcher : if you love not praise. 

You must forbear the publisbing of plays. 

The crafty masea of the cunning plot. 

The poliBh'd phrase, the sweet expressions, got 

Neitner by theft nor yiolence ; the conceit 

Fresh and unsullied ; all is of weight, 

Able to make the captiye reader know 

I did but justice when I placed you so. 

A shamefaced blushing would become the brow 

Of some weak virgin writer ; we allow 

To you a kind of pride, and there where most 

Should blush at commendations, you should boast. 

If any think I flatter, let him look 

Off mun my idle trifles on thy book. 

TUOMAS Jat. 



• Hbnbt Moodt.1 Sir Henry Moody pUys on the title 
of the piece. He has not moch of the poet In him, iMit ap 
peart to be a fHcndly, eood-natored man. A short poem ol 
his is prefixed to tlie folio edition of Beanmont and Fletcher. 
He was one of the gentlemen who had nonorary degrees 
conferred on them by Charles I., on his rctorn to Oxford 
from the battle of EdgehiU. 



1 

GLOSSARIAL INDEX. 


Abram mibt, S56 


Bellona, 262 


cantelns, 101 


abaord, «94 


bells ring backward, 62 


cavallery, 234 


abmse, t40 


bend the body, 72. 482 


censure, 116, 221 


acts of parliament, 497 


beneath the salt, 378 


ceruse, 396 


actaate, 189 


beso las msnos, 213 


chamber, 147 


aerie, ?t, «50 


betake, 399 


chapel fall, 118 


affecU, 97 


bind with, 412 


chapioes, 123 


alba regalia. 271 


bird-bolts, 420 


Charles the robber, 418 


altar, 158 


birthright, 99 


charms on rubies, 207 


a many, 11 


Biscsn, 459 


cheese-trenchers, 502 


amorous, 207 


bisognion, 241 


chiaus, 135 


Amsterdam, 121 


blacks, 319 


chine evil, 274 


Anaxarete, 185 


blasphemous, 210 


choice and richest, 126 


angel (bird), 11 


bloods, 333 


chreokopia, 496 


ape, 105 


blue gown, 405 


chuffs, 73 


apostate, 25, 29, 57, 38 


braches, 54,349, 390 


church -book, 496 


apple, 305 


brave, 142, 461 


circular, 296 


Argien, 37 


braveries, 92, 155 


civil, 144,381 


arrearages, 264 


brarery, 54,261,501 


clap-dish, 154 
clemm'd, 182 


as (as iQ 359 


Breda, 351 


astrology, 386 


Brennus, 339; 


close breeches. 331 


atbeism, 240 


broadside (to shew), 147 


clubs, 125, 380 


atOLsment, 82 


brother in arms, 233 


coats, 507 


ATentine, 173 


buck, 24 


Colbrand, 331 




bog. 365 


colon, 35. 260 


B. 


bullion,32l 


come aloft, 105 ; 


buoy'd. 354 
burul denied, 316 


comfort, 471 


bake-house, 166 


comiog in, 74 


bandog, 13 


burse, 389 


commence, 80. 293 


banqaet, 44,[S84 


bury money, 515 


commodities. 102 


banqueting-liouse, 93 


but, 123, 306 


come off, 54 


Baptista Porta, 254 


Butler (Dr.), 504. 


commoner, 20 


bar, 157 




comparison, 263 


barathmm, 363 


C. 


comrogues, 395 


barley.brtak,28 


calver'd salmon, 237, 429 


conceited, 101 


bases, 260 


camel. 322 


conclusions, 80 


bsttket, 337, 353, 379 


cancelier, 413 


conduit, 166 


battalia, 260 


canters, 3i9 


conquering Romans, 105 


battle of Sabia, 472 


Caransa, 42, 422 


consort, 259, 331 


beadsmen, 383, 391 


carcanet, 400, 439 


constable, to steal a, 226 


bearing dishes, 374 


caroch, 123, 248 


constant in, 4 


Beaomelle, 323 


carouse, 62 


constantly, 220 


beceo, 282 


carpet knights, 235 


cooks* shops, 358 


bees, 399 


caster, 397 


Corinth, 93 


beetles, 73' 


casting, 278 


corsive8.192,309 


beg estates, 288 


cast suit, 275 


counsel, 74, 189 


begkrbeg, 135 


cater, 385 


counterfeit gold thread, 354 



GLOSSARIAL INDEX. 



courtesy, «08 

courtship, 79. 77, «03, «17, 439 

courtesies, 372 

cow-eyes, 51, 393 

crack, 34 

crincomes, 430 

crone, 34 

crosses, 130 

crowd, 532 

crowns o' the sun, 35 

cry absurd ! 294 

cry aim, 96, 132 

Cupid and Death, 24 

cuUions, 419 

cunning, 417 

curiosity, 379 

Curious Impertinent, 329 

curiousness, 49, 151 

cypress, 481 



dagrff, 332 

dalliance. 22 

dangler, 318, 404 

dead pays, 54 

death, the, 66 

deck, 422 

decline, 227 

deduct, 506 

deep ascent, 480 

deer often, 301 

defeature, 108 

defensible, 411 

degrees, 184 

Delphos, 339 

demeans, 253 

denying burial, 31 6 

depart, 123 

dependencies, 226 

deserved me, 369 , 

Diana, 82 

discourse and reasoUi 39 

disclose, 230 

dispartations, 13 1 

dissolve, 83. 186 

distaste, 49, 123 

divert, 202 

doctor, go out, 80, 

doctrine, 226, 297 

drad, 8 

drawer-on, 417 

dresser, cook's drum, 43, 422 

drum-wine, 889 

Dunkirk, 77 



elenchs, 294 
elysium, 25 
empiric, 303 
eiitradas, 433 
equal, 35 
equal mart, 477 
estridge, 254 
extend, 373, 404 
eyasses, 278 

F. 
faith, 17 
fame, 462 
far-fetch'd, 419 



fault, 114, 510 

fautors. 117 

fellow, 966 

festival exceedings, 278 

fetch in, 188 

fewierer, 232, 278 

Fielding, 398 

fineness, 137 

Fiorinda, 199 

flies, 11 

for, 27 

forks, 213 

forms, 46 

fore-right, 147 

forth, 308 

frequent, 174, 176 

frippery, 379 

fur, 380 



gabel, 289 

gallant of the last edition, 379 

galley foist, 321 

galliard, 511 

garden-house, 93 

gauntlets, 47 

Gay, 320 

gazet, 237 

gemonies, 174 

gimcrack, 83 

Giovanni, 199 

glad to, 11 

glorious, 37, 51,202 

go by. 246 

God be wi* you, 389 

g^ds to friend, 174 

gold and store, 963, 397 

golden arrow, 184 

go less, 393, 484 

golls, 395 

go near, 129 

good, 394 

good fellows, 435 

good lord, 284 

good man, 317 

good mistress, 176 

goody wisdom, 321 

Gorgon, 471 

governor's place, 8 

Granson, 317 

Great Britain, 27 

green apron, 122 

Gresset, 470 

grim sir, 46 

grub up forests, 419 

guard, 256 

11. 
hairy comet, 36 
hand, 13d 
hawking, 278 
heaU, 97 

hecatombaion, 507 
Hecuba, 187 
hell, 378, 478 
high forehead, 34 
hole, 378 

homed moons, 130 
hose, 213 
humanity, 319 



hunt's up, 71 
hurricane, 58 



Jane of apes, 105 
jewel, 432, 457 
imp, 147, 195. 201 
impotence, 192, 444 
impotent, 45 
Indians, 402 
induction, 335 
ingles, 395 
interess. 63 
Iphis, 185 



ka me ka thee, 385 
katexochidn, 420 
keeper of the door, 164 
knock on the dresser, 43 



Lochrymae, 226, 281 

lackeying, 4 

Lady Compton, 387 

lady of the lake, 356 

lanceprezado, 237 

lapwing's cunning, 516 

lavender, 273 

lavolta, 215, 390 

leadeq dart, 7 

leaguer, 254, 326 

leege, 301 

Lent, 143 

Tenvoy, 484, 490 

leper, 154 

lets, 8, 57 

lightly, 100 

line, 11 

little, 69 

lively grave. 319 

living funeral, 1 10 

looking-glasses at the girdle, 578 

lost, 146 

loth to depart, 514 

lottery, 167 

lovers perjuries, 208 

Lowin, John, 173 

Ludgate, 382 

Luke, 402 

lye abroad, 121 

M. 
M. for master, 398 
magic picture, 255 
magnificent, 292 
Mahomet, 121 
Malefort, 36 
Mammon, 181 
mandrakes, 3^ 
mankind, 390 
marginal fingers, 3%9 
marmoset, 389 
Mars, 262 
Marseilles, 35, 151 
masters of dependencies, 226 
Mephostophilus, 280 
mermaid, 514 
Minerva, 194 
miniver cap, 400 



GLOSSARIAL INDEX. 



mirror of knigbthood, 414 
mutress, 48, 163 
mistress* colours, 1 16 
moppes, 105 
Morat, 317 
more, t6t 
most SB endy 449 
music, 353 
muiic-msater, 333 

N. 
Nancy, 317 
nerer-faUing, 288 
Nell of Greece, 513 
niggle, 310 
nightingale, 203 
night-rail, 393 
nimming, 434 
no cunning quean, 93 
north passage, 388 
NoTall. 330 
number his years, 178 



October, 98 
oil of angels, 76 
oil of talc, 396 
Olympus, 367 
Ovid, 484 
outcry. 383 
owe, 99 
owes, 7, 138 



packing 313 
padder, 366 
pale-spirited. 356 
Pandanis, 431 
paned hose, 313, 501 
pantofle, sworn to, 46 
paraUel, 81, 330 
parle, 471 
parted, 13, 317 
parts, 343 
pMb, 1« 

passionately, 508 
passions, 496, 534 
pastry forti6cations, 351 
Patch, 364. 374 
Paris, battle of, 63 
peat, 333 
peevish, 30 
peevishness, 371 
perfected 49 
pers^ver, 4, 350 
personate, 317, 354 
Pescara, 66 
physicisns, 445 
piety, 476 
pine-tree, 70 
pip, 331 
place, 413, 493 
play mv prize, 370 
plnmed victory, 40 
plarisy, 51 

Plymouth cloak, 349, 397 
Ponialier, 338 
poor John, 131 , 365 
porter's lodge, 76, 350 
poiU,4 



possessed, 309 

power of things, 174 

practice, 167, 333 

practick, 394 

precisian, 349 

prest, 393 

pretty, 340 

prevent, 371, 498 

prevented, 136 

progress, 410 

provant sword, 336 

providence, 361 

pull down the side, 40, 316 

puppet, 70 

purer, 68 

purge, 365 

put on, 79, 314, 363, 403 

Q. 

quality, 176, 260, 333, 510 
quirpo, 331 
quited, 505 

R. 

rag, 336 

Ram Alley, 358 

remarkable, 41 

relic, 133 

remember. Ill, 156,439 

remora, 130 

re-refine, 389 

resolved, 73, 381 

rest on it, 95 

riches of catholic king, 483 

ride, 390 

rivo. 131 

roarer, 136 

Roman, 398 

roses, 379, 401 

rouKO, 63, 103 

royal merchant, 139 

rubies, 307 



S. 
Sabla, battle of, 473 
sacer, 305 
sacratus, 505 
sacred badge, 141 
sacrifice, 330 
sail-stretcb'd, 37 
sainted, 377 
St. Dennis, 154 
St. Martin's. 397 
sanzacke, 135 
salt, above the, 44 
scarabs, 73 
scenery, 381 
scholar, 354 
scirophorion, 507 
scotomy, 511 
sea-rats, 461 
Sedgely curse, 387 
seisactheia, 496 
servant, 48, 50, 153, 414 
shadows, 43 
shall be, is, 416 
shape, 117, 164, 184, 186, 399 
sbe-Dunkirk, 77 
sherifiTs basket, 379 



sbining shoes, 419 

Sir Giles Mompeseon, 364 

skills not, 63, 170, 173 

sleep on either ear, 416 

small legs, 450 

softer neck, 50 

so, bo, birds, 378 

solve, 83 

sort, 30 

sovereign, 533 

sought to, 57 

sparred, 33 

Spartan boy, 436 

sphered, 33 

spit, 38 

spital, 390 

spittle, 374, 337, 390 

spring, 48 

squire o'dames, 164, 387 

squire o* Troy, 431 

sule the jest, 53, 487 

startup, 379 

state, 93, 93, 333 

sutute against witches, 373 

staunch, 93 

stesl a constable, 336 

steal courtesy from heaven, 808 

Sterne, 331 

stiletto, 371 

still an end, 449 

stones, 378 

story, 315 

strange, 93 

strongly, 303 

street fired, 118 

strengths, 159, 146, 501 

striker, 54 

suit, 591 

sworn servant, 181 

Swiss, 517 

synonyms, 387, 556 



table, 503 

taint, 164 

take in, 574 

take me with you, 315, 341, 459 

take up, 305 

Ull ships. 50 

tall trenchermen, 44 

temin, 561 

tattered, 15 

Termsgant, 131 

theatre, 175 

Tbeocrine, 58 

thick-skinned, 83 

thinff of things, 103 

third meal, 75 

thought for, 575 

Thrace, 363 

time, 180 

Timoleon, 94 

to-to, 455 

token, 549, 599 

toothful, 38 

toothpicks, 313 

tosses, 363 

touch, 484 

train, 53 

tramontanes, 306 



GL0S3ARIAL INDEX. 



trillibubs, 5lt 

trimmed, 163 

try conclusions, 80 

tune, 180 

turn Turk, 145, 333 

twines, 411 



onciyil, 330 
unequsl 308 
uses, 336, 397 

V. 

vail. 341, 389 
TsrleU, 336 
Venice glasses, 135 
Virbius, 185 



voley, 370 
TOtes, 431 

W. 

waistcoateer, 390 
walk after supper, 44 
walk the round, 359, 433 
ward, 356 
wards, 409 
wardship, 409 
watchmen, 497 
way of youth, 175, 456 
weakness the last, 463 
wear the caster, 397 
wear scarlet, 381 
well, 323 
wheel, 363 



where, (whereas) tdf, 314, 519 

441,464 
while, 194, 499 
whiting-mop, 439 
whole field wide, 333, 393 
why, when! 193 
witches, 373 
witness, 395 
wishes, as well as, 455 
wolf. 471 

work of grace, 137 
wreak, 133 



yaws, 453 
yellow, 80 
yeoman fewterer, 333, 278 



4= 



A LIST 



MASSINGER'S PLAYS. 



Those marked that * are in the pretent Edition, 

1. Tns Forced Lady, T. This was one of the plays destroyed by Mr. Warbarton's serrant*. 

S. The Noble Choice, C. \ Entered on the Sutioners' books, by H. Moseley, 

3. The Wanderings Lovers, C. J^Sept. 9, 1653 ; but not printed. These werej^amongr the 

4. Fhilenso and Hippolita, T. C. J plays destroyed by Mr. Warburton's servant. 

5. Antonio and Valliaf, C. ") Entered on the Stationers' books, by H. Mosely, June 29, 

6. 1 he Tyrant, T. \ 1660, but not printed. I'hese too were among^ the plays 

7. Fast and Welcome, C. J destroyed by Mr. Warburton's servant. 

8. The Woman's Plot, C Acted at court \6tl. Destroyed by Mr. Warburton's servant. 

9. •The Old Law, C. AssUted by Rowley and Middleton, Quarto, 1656. 

10. ^'he Virgin-Martjrr, T. Assisted by Decker. Acted by the servants of his Majesty's revels. Quarto, 

1629 ; Quarto, 1631 ; Quarto, 1661. 

11. *The Unnatural Combat, T. Acted at the Globe. Quarto, 1639. 

12. *The Duke of Milan, T. Acted at Black- Friars. Quarto, 1623 ; Quarto, 1638. 

13. *The Bondman^ T. C. Acted December 3, 1623, at the Cockpit, Drury Lane. Quarto, 1624 ; 

Quarto, 1638. 

14. •The Renegade, T. C. Acted April 17, 1624, at the Cockpit, Drury Lane. Quarto, 1630. 

15. •The Parliament of Love, C. Unfinished. Acted November 3, 1624, at the Cockpit, Drury 

Lane. 

16. The Spanish Viceroy, C. Acted in 1624. Entered on the Stationers' books, September 9, 1653, 

by H. Moseley, but not printed. This was one of the plays destroyed by Mr. Warburton's 
senrant. 

17. •The Roman Actor, T. Acted October 11, 1626, by the King's company. Quarto, 1629. 

18. The Judge. Acted June 6, 1627, by the King's company. This play is lost. 

19. • The Great Duke of Florence. Acted July 5, 1627, at the Phoenix, Drury Lane. Quarto, 1636. 
fO. The Honour of Women. Acted May 6, 1628. This play is lost. 

21. 'The Maid of Honour, T. C^. Acted at the Phoenix, Drury Lane. Date of its first appearance 

uncertain. Quarto, 1632. 

22. 'The Pictare, T. C. Acted June 3, 1629, at the Globe. Quarto, 1630. 

S3. Minerva's Sacrifice, T. Acted November 3, 1629, bv the King's company. Entered on the 
Sutiooera' books Sept. 9, 1653, but not printed. This was one of the plays destroyed by Mr. 
Warburton's servant. 

• In kit fint edition* Mr. Gifford had entered after thlt play ths Secretary, of which the title ap|iean in the caUlogne 
whick fiirnialMd tlie material* for Poole't PamaMus. Mr. Gilchrist having discovered among some old rabbish In a 
villafe librarv, that the work referred to is a translation of familiar letters by Mont. La Serre, and that the translator's 
name was John Maaainger.lt was omitted in the list famished for the second edition. 

t In that roost cvrions MS. Register discovered at Dalwich College, and subjoined by Mr. Malone to his " Historical 
Accoon« of the English Stige, is the following entry, " R. 30 of J one, 1009, at antonp and valiea 01. axs. Od " If this 
be the play entered by Moaely, Massinger's claims can only arise from his having revised and altered it; for he mast have 
been a mere child when it was first pnxlaced. See the Introduction, p. 

I Mr. Malooc tUnki this to be the play immediately preceding it, with a new title. This is, however, extremely donbtniL 



LISr OF MASSINGER'S PLAYS. 



f 4. •The Emperor of the East» T. C. Acted March 11, 1831, at Black Friars. Quarto, 1632. 

35. Believe as you List, C. Acted May 7, ld31. Entered on the Sutioners' books, September 9, 1653, 

and again J one 29, 1660, bat not printed. This also was one of the plays destzojed by Mr. 
Warburton's servant. 

36. The Italian Nightpiece, or The Unfortonate Piety, T. Acted June 13, 1631, by the King's oompany. 

This play is lost. 

27. •The Fatal Dowry, T. Assisted by Field. Acted by the King's company. Quarto, 163f . 

28. •A New Way to Pay Old Debts, C. Acted at the Phoenix, Drury Lane. Quarto, 1633. 

29. •The City Madam, C. Acted May 25, 163S, by the King's company. Quarto, 1659. 

30. •I'he Guardian, C. Acted October 31, 1633, by the King's company. Octavo, 1655. 

31. llie Tragedy of Oleander. Acted May 7, 1634, bv^the King's company. This play is lost. 

32. •A Very Woman, T. C. Acted June 6, 1634, by tne King's company. OcUro, 1655. 

33. The Orator. Acted June 10, 1635, by the King's company. This play is lost. 

34. •The Bashful Lover, T.C. Acted May 9, 1636, by the King's company. Octavo. 1655. 

35. The King and the Subject. Acted June 5, 1638, by the King's company. This play is lost. 

36. Alexius, or the Chaste Lover.|| Acted September 25, 1639, by the King's company. This 

play is lost. 

37. The Prisoner, or the Fair Anchoress of Pausilippo. Acted June 26, 1640, by the King's compaoy 

This play is lost. 

• The title of thii pUy« Sir H. Herbert tells nii was changed, Mr. Malone conjectares it was aamed '*The Tjrnmti* om 
of Warburton's unfortanate collection.'* Probably* however, it was •abreqnentty found: as a MS. tragedy called "Tkc 
Tyrant,** was sold NoYemberi 1750* among the books of John Warbniton, Esq.. Somerset Herald."— J?t«y. Drwmm. 

t This play mast liave possessed ancommon merit, since it drew the Queen (Henrietta Maria) to Blacktriars. ArcauL_ 
able event at that time* when onr Sovereigns were not accustomed to visit the public theatres. She honoored It wiA her 
presence on the 18th of May* six days after its first appearance. The circvmetance is recorded by the Matter of the Reveib 

X iifearkM]. This play i» snppoeed by the editors of the ** Biographia Dramatica," to be the same at " Baakfal Lover.** 



I\c 



THE 



VIRGIN MARTYR. 



Turn Vnumf-MARTTR.] Of this Tragedy, wliieh appears to have been very popular, Aere are three 
edhions m anarto, 1632, 1651, and 1661 ; the Uwt of which is infinitely the worst It is not possible to 
ascertain woen it was first produced ; but as it is not mentioned among the dramatic pieces " read and 
allowed " by Sir H. Herbert, whose account commences with 1629, it was probably amongst the author's 
earliest efforts. In the composition of it he was assisted by Decker, a poet of sufficient reputation to 
pcoToke the hostility or the enry of Jouson, and the writer of sereral plays much esteemed by his con- 
temporarieB. 

In the first edition of this tragedy it is said to have been ** dirers times publicly acted with great applause 
by the senrants of his Majesty's Rerels." The plot of it, as Coxeter obsenres, is founded on the tenth and 
last geoeralpersecution of the Christians, which broke out in the nineteenth year of Dioclesian's reign, with 
a fury hardly to be expressed ; the Christians being eirery where, without distinction of sex, age, or 
condition, dragged to execution, and subjected to the most exquisite torments that rage, cruelty, and hatred 
could suggest. 



DRAMATIS PERSONiE. 



King ef Pontus. 
King cf Epire. 
King ofMwcedfm, 
Sapritius, Governor of Ca^sarea. 
Theophilus, a sealout pertecutar of Hib Ckriitians 
Sempsonius, captain rf SAParnus' guard*, 
Aktokinus, ton to SAPRrm's. 
Mackisv^, friend to Antoninus. 
Harpax, an evil tpirit, following Theophilus in the 
thape of a teeretary. 



Angbu), a good spirit, serving Dorothea in the habit of 

a page. 
HiRcius, a whoremaster, } . /• t> 

Spusoius, a drunkard, \ '^''"'^ ^/ Dorohiea. 
Priett of Jupiter, 
British Slave. 

Artemia, daughter to Dioclesian. 

C^'i^A,}^'^^^' ^ Theophilu*. 
Dorothea, the Virgin-Martyr, 
Officers aud Executioners. 



SCENE, Cffisarea. 



ACT I. 



SCENE h^The Govebnor's Palace, 
Enter Tbbophilvs and Harpax. 
Theaph, Come to Caesarea to-night ! 
Harp, Most true, sir. 
Tkeoph, The emperor in person ! 
Harp, Do I live? 
Theaph, Tis wondrous strange ! The marches of 

Like to the motions of prodigious meteors. 

Are stegby step observed ; and loud-tongued Fame 

The harbinger to prepare their entertainment : 

And» were it possible so great an army. 

Though ooyer*d with the night, could be so near, 

The goremor cannot be so unfriended 

Among the many that attoid his person. 

But, by some aeciet means, he should hare notice 



Of Cspsar's purpose* ;— in this then excuse me, 
If I appear mcredulous. 

Harp. At your pleasure. 

Theoph. Yet, when I call to mind you never fail*d 
In things more difficult, but have discovered [me. 
Deeds that were done thousand leagues distant from 

me, 
When neither woods, nor caves, nor secret vaults. 
No, nor the Power they serve, cotdd keep these 

Christians 
Or from my reach or punishment, but thy magic 

* Of Camr's p-trpote ;— In this then esam nw,] Before 
Mr. M. Masoo'i elition, it itood : 

he shwdd have notice 

Of Ctetar'9 purpose in thit, 

meaning, periiapa, in this hasty and unexpected visit : I 
have not, howeYer, allured the pointing. 

B 9 



THE VIRCIN-MARTVB. 



[Act 1* 



Btill Iftid tbexn opt'ii ; I b*?^m aj5«» 
To bi» »a coDli'l^uf a* btTf tofore, 
It ij not po6sib1t» thy powprftil art 
Should meet & chfi«;x, or full, 

Bnttra Prie«t with the littagf of Jupitrr, Causita 
and Ciii{i«mn \. 

Ihirp. Look on the Vi-atala, 
TW hijlv pknlges thui lht> gcxla hare js^iven yoo. 
Your ctiJisff, tair dsiufjhteri. \Ver't not to upbraid 
A wrvici' to u miister not unthankful, 
I could aay tlieau, in spitu of your prevention, 
Seductid by mi imngiui**! fiiitb, not renjion, 
(Which IS ibo strength of nsiture,) quite foriuiking 
The Gentile gods, hiwl peldetl tjp thpm««lvea 
To this new-found religion. This [ crosa'd, 
Disco rer'd their intentions, taught you to Ufl«» 
With gentle words and mild [x^niuajiions. 
The power and the authority of n fnther 
Set off with cruel threata ; and so feclftim'd thvtn : 
Andt wbercM they with tormenU should hitve died, 
(HtU'i furie* to lue, bad they undergone it ! ) 

ITiw WP© now votariei in great Jupiter's temple^ 
AnX bv hts priest instructed^ grown familiar 
With aJl the mysteriea, nay, the moit abstniAe ones* 
Belonging to bis deity. 

Thettph. *Twaa a bi^e6t, 
For which I ever owe you. Hail, JoTe*i flwiien 1 
Hare thvne my daughters reconcdtnl themselTM, 
Abandontng for ever the Chriiilian waj. 
To vour opinion T 

f^rMiftp And are constant in* iL [ment, 

Tluiv teacb their teachers with thcnr depth of judg^- 
And ■re with arguments able to convert 
T^ enemiea to our gods, and answer ail 
TImv Gsa object against ua* 

Tneaph. My dear daughters ! [sect, 

Cah We dare dispute againat thia new-aprung 
In private or in publiic. 

Harp. Itly best lady, 
Pcrs^f^ver t in it* 

Chrit. And what we maintain. 
We will seal with our bloods. 

Uitrp, Brare resolution ! 
I e en grow fat to see my Inboura prosper. 

Thtoph. I young again. To your devotions. 

Hat^. Do — 
My prayer* be present with you. 

{Kitttni Prktt and Daughters of Theofthlht. 

Thf0ifh. O my ITuqMis ! 
Thou ^ngitie ol ui)^ wishes, thou that sieerat 
My bluodv r»«otutions ; thou that ann'st [sion ; 
My evei Against womanish tears luid soft eompas- 
Inatructing me, without a sigh, to took ott 



torn by violence from tlieir mothen* breMta 
To htd the fire, and with tlit«m make oiii» flamo ; 
Old mfliii, la beaata^ in Inmsu' liking torn by dogs ; 
Vui^iiui and matrons tire the executiouerv ^ 
Yet I, unaatiafied, think their tonnenu eejy. 
Harp. Ami in thai, just, not cruid. 

* Pfiejt And an comtant ia it.\ So tbc firit l«w ctli. 
tloo*. Hie List, virhlch b v«^ IncorrerUy pHuUtl, rr^dkla 
Up aiul if fotloWfrfl by lb« mudcrn Mlltort. 

t r«T!M:t«T in jl.j ^^■ tltiia wiird WM ■aciently wrUlt-Q 
and prt*#M>iiiiciLi1 . ihiii \\\t king, in MtMmttt : 

— but to I'trratvcf 

In ohtti/utt* nyfutntewtmt, 
Coa«lcr atlopii ilii imrni'iiU^l rradittf of the tbli^i qa«r1o, 
III H, *nd l« ftUtuwiiTiJ b> Mr- IVl, Ma«oa, wl>ohrj«v- 



Thtifph, Were all iiceptres 
That grace the Imnd^ of kings, made into oi»e« 
And uiferM me, all crownj* laid at my (eM, 
I would contemn them fdl,— thus «inl at tlietn j 
So I to (ill posterities might lie cull d 
The jttrcnigest champion of the Fugaa gods. 
And rooti^f out of Christiana. 

Harp. Oh^ mine own, 
7^1 ine own dear lord ! to further this great work, 
1 ever lire thy slave, 

Enter Safritius and Sexpsonivs. 

Thenph. No more — the governor. [doubled ; 

Sap, Keep tJie ports close*, and let the guards be 
Disarm the Chrij&tians, call it ileatli in any 
To wear a sword, or in hia housu lo lave oneu 

Stmp. I shall be careful, dr. 

Sap, 'Twill well become you. 
Such ua refuse to offer aacri'fioe 
1 o any of our gods, put to tlie torture, 
firub up thia growing mischief hv tiie roota ; 
And know, when we are mercifuf to tliem, 
W' e lo ourselves are cruel, 

Semp. You pour oil 
On lire liiat bnms aJreadj at the height ; 
I know the em|>eror's edict, and my charge, 
And they shall iind no favour. 

Thmph, yiy goo<J lord, 
Tliis tare is timely for the entcrtaiomenC 
Of onr great master, who thia night in jieraoii 
Comes here to thank you. 

Sap. Who! the emperor T [triumph, 

Httrp. To clear your doubts, he doth n*tum in 
Kit 1^9 lackey in ^ f by hi:i tritini[ih.uit chariot ; 
Aud iu this glorious victory, my lord, 
Vou httVH uu umplt) }*hiire ; for knon-, your son, 
'Pie neVr-euough commende<l Antonmus, 
8(> well hath flejih'd his maiden sv^ortl X, ;uid died 
Hiii snowy plumes ao deep in enemies' hlocx]. 
That, befiideA public grace beyond lu^ hopes, 
There are rt'wiurds pnDpouudcd, 

Sap, I would know 
No mean iji thtne. could this be trueu 

Harpt IMy bend 
Answer the forfeit. 

Sap. Of ijid victory 
There was some runigur \ but it was asfoi^d* 



• Snp. Kffp the port* cfnttt,] Thl» wurd. wliUh \i »ii 
n^rit) IrMiii Hic Unliu, La »o rnMtuiully hmkI hy \i 
m\*\ \.l\v wdtt'i* ipf h\n limf. {ov the ^atn: qf ti Um . 
n[t^K*i* Biipi-rfltiuui la product^ uiy L&jiniiklr« Mf ti. j 
uutU'L-d itouiY U iiuflictcnL 

» Kit^M Uckv^ Ing hi/ him ffiftf^jthtml cfiatiof ,] Rnnninf 
by vhe >idv of It titer luekita, ur iwiboyt. So In Mariia«i'a 
Antmio umi Mrltida : 

** Oil t|i«l our power 
C'oidd tat'kfy or hrcp p^cr frith our degbvf*' 

t So Wt'tt httth Jlr9ii'd, &c.] MftftslLiigir w«> .i i^rirat rratfrr 
jihI AihuiitM ul Shoilttfirart' : he h«<i bvre but ualy ad«|^i|«d 
bi» K'Uliinttit, tMit l!ii^ wonlii . 

*' < •' John, full bravdy haft llKHi/isA*tf 

^rttni" 

But SImVpn ^• 17 unc't liend, ur, ■( least, In tftwry 

%H%v'% hau't , .111.1 I ^JiL>iilil ihtrivfuie Ik coAfUDlly niilicl- 
|>'it«d. In inch ffirmrkt /!» tlif^ie. 

I ntll takr thij up|,Klitillill>' to U] 
trriti il.cr tlie p»je with \ 

M.i' imiififiary ton 1 re, 

whi. IV be pj&id lo grcnl 1 

Willi H'^ri t t > lllOKT of 4 SetOlMl Of tl^ij'l 

^'liiil wotM.' Ui«ti lancrftiHMM tu \i^Mni theiii 
iricmblv m>rkA of «n drtcrlpiionfl, Cot ilic !•■ , 
vciinK v( lance eviry cuuunoii (r|»ithrt, ur uivtdl cx|iri 
u«* ijkcii. 



. that !t j* lior 



my ia- 



Scene I.] 



THE VIRGIN MARTYR. 



I 



The armj passed a full day's joumej bigber, 

Into the country. 

Harp. It was so detennined ; 
! But, for tbe further honour of your son, 
I And to observe the goyemment of the city, 
' And with what rigour, or remiss indulsrence, 

The Christians are pursued, he makes bis stay here : 
I [^TrumpeU, 

For proof, bis trumpets speak bis near arrival. 
I Sap. Haste, good Sempronius, draw up our guards, 

And with all ceremonious pomp receive 

Tbe conquering army. Let our garrison speak 
j Their w^come in loud shouts, tbe city shew 

Her state and wealth. 

Semp. I'm gone. [^Exit. 

I Sap. O, I am ravisb'd 

I With this great honour ! cherish, good Tbeophilus, 
. Hiis knowing scholar ; send [for J your fiur daugh> 
I I will present them to the emperor, [ters*; 

And in their sweet conversion, as a mirror, 
I Express your xeal and duty. 
I Theaph, Fetcb them, good Harpax. 
I [Exit Harpax, 

A guard brought in by Semproniui, ioldiert leading 
in three kingi bound ; Antoninus and Macrinvs 
■ carrying the Emperor's eaglet ; Dioclesian tcith 

I a gilt laurel on hit head, leading in Art£3iia : 

I Saprhius kittet the Emperor's hand, then em- 

I bracet hit Son ; Harpax bringt in Causta and 

Christsta. Loud thoutt, 

Diocle. So : at all parts I find Cxsarea 
I Completely govem'd ; the licentious soldier f 

Confined m modest limits, and the people 
i Taught to obey, and, not compell'd with rigour : 
I Tbe ancient Iloman discipline revived, [her 

! Which raised Rome to her greatness, and proclami'd 
. The glorious mistress of tbe conquer'd world ; 
t But, above all, the service of the gods 
I So xealously observed, that, good Sapridus, 

In words to thank you for your care and duty. 

Were much unworthy Dioclesian's honour, 
I Or bis magnificence to his loyal servants. — 

But I shall find a time with noble titles 
I To recompense your merits. 
Sap, Mightiest Caesar, 

X Whose power upon this globe of earth is equal 
: To Jove's in heaven ; whose victorious triumphs 
I On proud rebellious kings that stir against it, 

Are perfect figures of his immortal trophies 

W'on in tbe Giants' war ; whose conquering sword, 
i Guided by his strong arm, as deadly kills 
i As did h^ thunder ! all that 1 have done, 
I Or, if my strength were centupled, could do, 

Comes short of what my loyalty must challenge. 



• eend [for] ifour fair daughtert ;] All the copies 

read,— •Old pom- fair dauyhiert ;for, which I have inseiied 
9eeoi» nccesMry ^*> complete the sense as well as the metre ; 
M Harpax is immediately dispatched to bring them. 

t the licentious soldier] Mr. M. Mason reads tol- 

diert^ tbe old and true lection is soldier. The stage direction 
in this place is very strangely given by the former editors. 
I may here obaerve, that I do not mean to notice every 
slight correctioo : already several errors have been silently 
rcf«Hrined by tbe assistance of the first qaarto : witlioot 
reckooiag the removal of snch barbaroas conUractioui as 
cQBq'ring, ad'mant, ranc'rovs, ign'rance, rhet'ilck, &e. with 
wbicb the modem editions are everywhere deformed with- 
oat aatbority or reason. 

t tVhoee power, Ac] A U^nslatioo of tbe well-known 
line: 

DMeum imperium cum Jove Ctetar habet. 



But, if in any thinff I have deserved 

Great Ciesar s smile, 'tis in mv humble care 

Still to preserve tbe honour of those gods. 

That make him what be is : my seal to them, 

I ever have express'd in my feu bate 

Against the Christian sect that, with one blow, 

(Ascribing all tbingp» to an unknown jMwer,) 

Wotdd strike down all their temples, and allows 

Nor sacrifice nor altars. [them* 

Diocle. Thou, in this, 
Walk'st hand in hand with me : my will and power 
Shall not alone confirm, but honour all 
That are in this most forward. 

Sap, Sacred Caesar, 
If your imjierial majesty stand pleased 
To shower your favotirs upon such as are 
The boldest champions of our religion ; 
Look on this reverend man, to whom the power 
Of searching out, and punishing such dehnquents. 
Was by your choice committed ; and, for proof, 
He bath deserved tbe grace imposed upon him. 
And with a fair and even band proceeued. 
Partial to none, not to himself; or those 
Of equal nearness to himself; behold 
fThis pair of virg^s. 

Diocle, What are these ? 

Sap, His daughters. [ones, 

Artem, Now by your sacred fortune, they are lair 
Exceeding fair ones : would 'twere in my power 
To make them mine ! 

Theaph, They are the ^ods', great lady, 
They were most happy m your service else : 
On these, when they fell from tlieir father's futtb, 
I used a judge's power, entreaties failing 
(Tbev being seduced) to win tliem to adore 
The holy powers we worAbip ; I put on 
The scarlet robe of bold authority. 
And as they had been strangers to my blood, 
Presented them, in the most horrid torm, 
All kind of tortures : part of which they suffered 
With Roman constancy. 

Artem. And could you endure. 
Being a father, to behold their limbs 
Extended on the rack ? 

Theoph, I did ; but must 
Confess there was a strange contention in me. 
Between the impartial office of a judge. 
And pity of a father ; to help justice 
Religion stept in, under which odds 
Compassion fell : — yet still 1 was a father ; 
For e'en then, when the flinty hangman's whips 
Were worn with stripes spent on their tender limbs, 
I kneel'd and wept, and begged them, though they 
Be cruel to themselves they would take pity [would 
On my grey hairs : now note a sudden change, 
Whicn I with joy remember ; tliose whom torture, 
Nor fear of death could terrify, were overcome 
By seeing of my sufferings ; and so won, 
Returning to the faitli that they were born in, 
I gave them to tlie gods : and be assured, 
I that used justice with a rigorous baud, 
Upon such beauteous virgins, and mine own, 
Will use no favour, where the cause commands nie. 



• and allows them 

Nor sacrifice, nor allars.] The intKlein editors have, 

and allow iheui 

No sacrifice nor altars : 
which is the cornipt reading of the quarto, 1061. 

i This pair qf virt/ins.] Clian(((>d, 1 know not uliy, by 
the mwleni etlitors, into — These pair of virgins. 



THE VIRGIN MARTVR, 



[An I. 



To iny other ; but, aa rooka, he dent 
To all flntreiitiei& 

Diocte, Tbou de*orF'at tliy [ilacu ; 
Still holdit, and with houour. Thijiga ilius order*d 
Toucbing the gods; *di.H lawful to de^cenrl 
To liumQn can»fl, and exerciw tlmt i>owpr 
Heaven has conferred tipoii me ; — wbicb that yo»t» 
Rebels and traitors lo tliti ptJWiT of Roims 
Should not with all extreaiili(5S utiderfjo. 
What can you urge to qualify your crimes, 
Or mitigBt« tuy angpr ? 

•A', rf Epirt, Wi* are now 
Slaves to thy jiower, ihit yacterday icerc Hngs, 
And had commaod o'er others ; we confess 
Our gnmdsiri?* paid voura tribute, yet left us, 
Ab tlioir forefathers fiad, desire of freedom, 
Aijd» if you Romans bold it glorious honour 
Not ouly to dt'fii*nd wbnt ia your own. 
But to enlurpe your empire, (though our fortune 
Daniisa that happiness,) who can accuse 
Tlie fiimish'd mouth if it attempt to feed T 
Or «urb, whose fatten eat into their freedomai 
If they di»sir© to aliake them off? 

K, of Pgntut, We stand 
The last exaniplea^ to prove how uncertain 
All human liappineas is ; and are preparttd 
To endure the worst. 

A". <f Macedm. That spokft, which now is highest 
In fortune's wheel, must wht*n she tuTn» k nv%u 
Decline as low as we are, Tim con.sider'd, 
Taught the .-Ecfyptiiin Hercules, SJesoslns, 
Thot bud his chariot drawn by cuptivtj ktnga. 
To free them from that slavery ; — but to hope 
Such mercy from a Roman, where mere madnefts : 
We are familiar with what cruelty 
Rome, since her infant greatness, ever uaod 
Such as she triumphed over ; age nor sex 
Exempted from her tyranny : acepter'd princes 
Kept in her common dungeons, and their children, 
In acorn trained up in base mechanic arts, 
for public bondmen. In the catalogue 
Of those unfortunate men, wo expect to have 
Our names reraember'd. 

Dkx-te, In all growing empires, 
Even cruelty is useful ; some Tiiust suffer, 
And be set up exompli^s to frtrikn terror 
In others, though far oft" : but when a state 
Is raised to lun fwrfection ^ and her bases 
Too firm to dhritik, or yield, we may use mercy « 
Ami do't widi safely :t but to whom ? not cowards, 
Or such whose baaeaesa alianiea tlie con(]ueror, 

• K. of E|>in\ Jf> atir mm 
Steve* to iky powvT^ tct*] 1 have obfcrvtd wveral Imi- 
liduiif ur MttMUiffcr in (hi* tlratiiAx ot Mawm: Ibcre ti, fur 
ImUncc, « ftrikin^ »i»att;irily bi'lttixf ii thin (ipirittW apt^eclt^ 
And tti« it»(tt^»«itt vxcbntaiiiiti of tbe brmv« but iiurii^rlii- 
nate Caract^cua : 

— " SoUlitT, I h^d amift, 

Had iiiMuhfue *i«cili» ii» whir) my Iron car», 
Hm\ M-f>»lilu itointnU>na: \\m\. iluoii wondrr, Ruamn, 
] rmii^hl til save thv\\\ 1 What il C«e4iir aim* 
Ti> h'nl ic iinlvi rMl o'er the rn'orlU, 
Sliull ihr wurhl inuwly crtioch to r i ' h>| f* 

i And Hat u^ith Miifrtf/ ,] ThUhatUy ^'4; 

the maxim liowrvi-r, tbiMii^tt jtirt, U uf tl vupks 

aatiirt;, fur wbat muytUUm*' rhief will i-vi i u to 

Iw *' ralwpO (h Ikt ptrfccllMn/' vr iUji< i "Miic 

*• mercy wiili imfvlj" U nrrivc*t f ev«o |ii i' lii» 

■xcrutrunt,— atrotie one* UhiI (mf Uume w;k- old njinKli it» 
bU tim«. Thc/r u &u iliiuloii to Viri^ll, iti ihe opening uf 
thii ipi'«ch : 

/Ti^ rlmra^ ft mnitaa rnmi m* tatkt ^nnmt 



And robs him of his victoiy, as weak PerMfus 

Did great /Kmilius * Know» therefore, kings 

Of Kpire* Fonfus, and of M»cedo&« 

That I with courte«iy can use m? priaoDers, 

As well as mnke tht'm mine by fcwtse, profided 

Tlwt they are noble enemit*s: such I found ynn, 

lic^fon^ I made you miim ; and, since you weri" ao, 

You hiive not lost the courages of prtnrfts 

Although the fortune. Had yuu bum ytjrursi«lvf« 

Dejectedly, and base, no slavery 

Had been too easy for you : but such i* 

The power of noble valour, that we love it 

Even in otir enemies, and tiiken with it, 

Desire to make them friends, as 1 will you. 

K. tf Epire, ISf ock us not, Caesar. 

DiocU. By the gods. 1 do not^ 
IJnloa«»e their bonds ; —I now as frienda emlMVOft joa * 
Give them their crowns again. 

A\ of Ponttis. We are twice o'eroome; 
By courage and by courtejiy, 

A', (if Macedim, Rut tliis latter, 
•Shall teach us to live ever failJiful vassalA 
To Dioclesian, and tlie power of Rome. 

K. tvf' Epirt, All kingdoms £all before her 1 

A. ^ F&ut^a. And all kings 
Contend to honour Caesar ! 

Dioch. I believe 
Your tongue!} are the true trumpets of your hB«ita» 
Ami in it 1 most happy. Queen of fote, 
Imperious fortune ! mix some light diaoster 
With my so many joys, to sea-wn them. 
And give tiiem 8weet**r r*»UHh : I'm girt round 
Wilh true felicity^ ; faithful subjects here. 
Her** bold commanders, here with new-made frieadii 
But, what*a ihw crown of idl, in thee, Artemia, 
My only child, whose love to me and duty, 
Strive to exceed each other ! 

Artem^ I mnke puymt*nt 
But of a debt, whuh I stnud bound to tender 
As a daughter and a subject, 

Dii^U, Which recjuires yet 
A retribution from mi\ Artemia, 
Tied by a father's care, bow to bestow 
A jewel* of all things to me most precious: 
Nor will I therefore longer keep thoe from 
Tht} chief joys of crc^iuon, marriage riten ; [of, 

VVhtf^h that tbou moy'st wilh greater pleusure^ I9«ti*> 
Thou shall not like with mine eyes, but tiiine own. 
Among these kings, forgetting they were captives 
Or those, remembering not they are my subjects, 
Make choice of any ; by Jove'a dreadful thunder, 
My will shall rank with thine. 

Artem, It ia a bounty 
The ditughters of great princes seldom meet with ; 
For tliey, to make up brt^icbes in the state. 
Or for 8om« otlier public ends, are fmrced 
To match where tli«y aftecL nout May my life 
Deserve thiii favour 1 

Diotie, Speak ; 1 long to know 
The man thou wilt make happy. 



- €U weak Frrmna 



Did ffrrat .t^miliHa.] Il U mid ibdt Prtnotui wnt tPil««lrv 
F«Mhi* .^niiliui uot to exhlbli him u it npcctarle lo thr 
RoitiMhf, mul to »\^arc hAm ths^ iuMttiUy "i t>i>|n( Ini in 
liiinri])h. /HiniliuK rrpllcU cuklly ; 7'4r/t»»<»*fr f» ttrntg qf 
mf w (n hU own jHfWff ; he can ffrocurt il ftfr kimmif, 

^ 7V» match where tkep afitd nM.\ Tlii» d«M Iketltr Ibr 
niixlcrn than Kutitrtti pnicllce ; «nd iwlvvd (He ««lli«r was 
tlihikioic inure of Uimkt ilian Dloclc»UAp lu Uili part «iC 
(III' dinlogne. 



I.] 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



1. If that titles, 

adored name of Queen could take me, 

oold I fix mine eyes, and look no further : 

•ee are baits to take a mean-bom lady, 

r, that boldly may call Cesar fiuher; 

I can bring lumour unto any, 

m no king that lires reeeire addition : 

B desert and rirtne by my fortune, 

i in a low estate, were greater glory 

> mix greatness with a prince that owes* 

tfa but that name only. 

!0» I commend thee, 

Bvmelt 

•• If tiien, of men beneath me, 

liot li to be made, where shall I seek, 

ong those that best deserve from you ? 

re Mrrsd yon most fidthfully ; that in dangers 

»od next to y6u ; that hare interposed 

reasto •• shields of proof, to duU the swordsf 

It your bosom ; that hare spent their blood 

vn your brows with laurel ? 

. CytbtfM, 

{ueen at Lore, be now propitious to me ! 

\ (to Ss|k} Now mark what I foretold. 

u Hef eyie s on me* 

nus' SOU) ^JiKW forth a leaden dart, X 

lat she m^ hate me, transfix her with it ; 

lou needs wilt use a golden one, 

:in the behalf of any other : 

noVst I am ^y Yo^iy elsewhere. [Atide. 

9.((oiln(oft.) Sir. 

>h. How he Mushes! 

Welcome, ibol, thy fortune. 

ke a block when such an angel courts thee ! 

u I am no object to dirert your eye 

le beholding. 

I. Rather a bright sun, 

rrious for him to gaie upon, 

ok not first flight from the eagle's aeiie. 

3k on the templei, or the gods, 

th that reverence, lady, I behold you, 

all do ever. 

3. And it win become jrou, 

Jius we stand at distance ; but, if love, 

}m out of the assurance of your virtues, 

ne to stoop so lo w ' ' ■ 

1. O, ratner take 

)r flight. 

«. Why, fear you to be nised ? 

ut off the dreadful awe that waits 

esty, or with you share my beams, 

ake you to outshine me ; change the name 

ject mto Lord, rob you of service 

iue from you to me, and in me make it 

) honour you, would you ref\uie me ? 

t. Refuse you, madam ^ socha worm as I am > 



an to mix greahteu with a prlito§ thai owes] 
;r the fonncr editon meet with thia word, in the 
pomesB, they alter it into owns, thoogh It is lo used 
t every page of oor old dramatists. 

to dull the tworda] So the old copies. Mr. 

«, reads, to dull their tworda f 
• VoMuT mm draw forth a leaden dart,] The idea 
Table effect, to which Massincer has more than one 
U Arom Ovid : 

IS hnic Veneris ; Figat tnns omnia, Phoebe, 
oens areas, ait ;— Pamassi constitit arce, 
e sagittifera promsit dao tela pharetra 
rrsorum opemm : ftigat hoc, facit illnd amorem. 
d facit, aaratmn est, ct cnspide fnlget acata ; 
d fngat, obtofom est, et habet sob amndine plambura. 
Met. lib 1.470. 



Refuse what kings upon their knees would sue for ! 

Call it, neat lady, by another name ; 

An humble modesty, that would not match 

A molehill with Olympus. 

Artem, He that's famous 
For honourable actions in the war. 
As you axe, Antoninus, a proved soldier, 
Is fellow to a king. 

Anton, If you love valour, 
As 'tis a kingly virtue, seek it out, 
And cherish it in a king : there it shines brightest, 
And fields the bravest lustre. Look on Epire, 
A prmce, in whom it is incorporate ; 
And let it not disgrace him that he was 
O'ercome by Cssar ; it was victonr, 
To stand so long against him : hadfyou seen him, 
How in one bloody scene he did discharge 
The parts of a commander and a soldier. 
Wise in direction, bold in execution ; 
You would have said, Great Caesar's self excepted, 
The world yields not his equaL 

Artem, Yet I have heard. 
Encountering him alone in the head of liis troop, 
You took him prisoner. 

K, of Epirt, Tis a truth, great princess ; 
111 not detract from valour. 

AnUm, 'Twas mere fortune ; 
Courage had no hand in it 

Theaph. Did ever man 
Strive so against his own good ? 

Sap. Spiritless villain ! 
How I am tortured ! By the immortal gods, 
I now could kill him. 

Dioele, Hold, Sapritius, hold, 
On our displeasure hold ! 

Harp, Why, this would make 
A father mad, 'tis not to be endured ; 
Your honour's tainted in't 

•Sap. By heaven, it is ; 
Ishallthmkofit. 

Harp, 'Tis not to be forgotten. 

Artem, Nay, kneel not, sir, I am no ravisher. 
Nor so far gone in fond affection to you, 
But that I can retire, my honour safe : — 
Yet say, hereafter, that thou hast neglected 
What, but seen in possession of another, 
Will make thee mad with envy. 

Anion, In her looks 
Revenge is written. 

Mac, As you love your life. 
Study to appease her. 

Anton, Gracious madam, hear me. 

Artem, And be again refused 1 

AnUm, The tender of 
My life, my service, or, since you vouchsafe it,* 
My love, my heart, my all : and pardon me, 
Pardon, drrad princess, that I made some scruple 
To leave a valley of security. 
To mount up to the hill of majesty. 
On which, the nearer Jove, the nearer lightning. 
What knew I, but your grace made trial of me ; 
Durst I presume to embrace, where but to touch 
With an unmanner'd hand, was death 1 The fox, 
When he saw first the forest's king, the lion, 



* My life, my eervice, or, tince you voueheitfe it. 
My love, &c.] This to the reading of the flrrt edition, 
and u evidently right. Coxeter fi^ows the second and third, 
which read not instead of or. How did thto nonsense escape 
Mr. M.Mason t 



8 



THE VmOIN.MARTYR. 



[Art II 



W»w «1tiio91 [1* ad wirh f(par ;• ilio socond view 
Only n little rlauntfHl him, tJie tliint, 
H<» ilurut Bttlute liitn boldly ; piijy vou, upply tliis; 
Ant] you i^hnll find ai little time will teach tn« 
To look with mnrd fnmiliar oyea tiiwii you* 
Thitii duty yet allows me, 

.SitjK Wflll fjccuaed. 

A r tern, Vou may rvdei^m »11 yvU 

Ditfrte, And, ihiit be may 
Hati^ m<fm^ imd opporttinity tn do fto, 
ArtrnniA, I \cQVe you my substitute 
la fair Capsureii, 

Sup, And hefi*» aa yourself, 
We w ill oIm'V and 86IT6 her. 

Diacle. Antoninus, 
So yoti prove hei^, I wish no oIIm?t heir ; 
Tbinit on't : — b«? careful of your c*l«ir^e» Tlieophillis , 
SiipritiuA, be you my daughter's ^fmiinri. 
Vour comfrany 1 wish, confotienilp princus, 
la our Dalmatian wara, whit'h fmi.slied 
With victory 1 hope, and IMaximiuus, 
Ouj brother and copartner in tlie empire. 
At my requect won to conltrm lu much, 
Tbf« kinraomii I took from you well restore, 
Aod malce tou greater than you werv» before. 

[Exeutil 11// hut AntLminui and Mdmnm. 

Anton. Ob, 1 am lost for ever? lost, 31acrinu« ! 
The anchor of the wretched, hope, forsake* me, 
And with one blast of fortune all my light 
Of happiness is put out. 

Mac You are like to thoa« 
That are ill only, 'cause they are too well ; 
That, surfeit! ngr io the exceas of blessings. 
Call their «bundmice want. What could you wiah^ 
That ia not fuU'n upon you 1 honour, g:TVumt>»s, 
Hesjpect, wealth ^ favour, the whole world for a dower ; 
And with a prtucess, whose exoeUiDg form 
Exceeds her fortune, 

AiU<m. Yet poison still ia poison. 
Though dmnk in gold ; and all these Mattering glories 
To roe, reedy to starve, a minted banquet, 
And no essential food. When I am scorch *d 
"With fire, cnii ftomea in any other quench me? 
What h her love to rae, greBtneaa, or empire, 
TTjat am slave to another, who ulone 
Can j^ive me ease or fi-eedom 1 

M(u\ 8ir, you point at 
Your dotage on the scorn ftit Dorolheo : 



In she, tliough fairj the same day to be tuuned 

With best Artemia ? In all their courseis. 

Wise men propose their ends : with 6w«et Artemk 

Th*^rp come» obng pleasure* security, 

l^shrVd by nil that in this life is jtn^iotis : 

W itlj Dorothea (though her birth be noble. 

The dau|^hti!r of a senator of Rome, 

By him left rich, yet with a private wealth, 

And Itar infi>nor to yours) arrivea 

The emperor^s frown, which, like a mortal plague, 

Speiik6 death is near ; the princess* heavy scorn. 

Under which you will shrink ;t your Cotber's fun. 

Which to resist, even piety forbids : — 

And but remctuber that she stands suspected 

A favourer of the Christijui sect ; she hriii^ 

Not danger^ ^ut tiSHure<d destruction with her. 

This truly weigh 'd one smile of great Artamift 

la fo ho cherish'd* and preferr'd before 

All joys in Dorothea : therefore leave her, [thou art, 

Aniivu In what tlion think'st thou ait moat wise. 
Grossly abused, Macrinus, and most foolish. 
For any man to match obove his rank, 
la hul to sell his liherty. With Artemia 
I Htill must live a servant ; hat enjoying 
Dirinest Dorothea, I shall rule, 
Rule aa becomea a huaband : for the datiger. 
Or call itt if you will, atsurfti dntruttieny 
I slij^ht it tlitis. — If, tlnen, tbuu art my friend. 
As I dare swear thou art, and wilt not take 
A BtJVemor's place upon thee,; be mv helper. 

Mac» You know I dure, and will do aity iLixig i 
Put me unto the test. 

.4m (oil. Go then, Macnnas, 
To Dorotliea j tell her I have worn. 
In all the battles I have fought, hnr figune. 
Her figure in my heart, which, like a deity, 
Hatfi stilt proteoteil me. Thou con'st sp^tk well. 
And of thy choicest language spore a little. 
To make her understand how much 1 love her. 
And how I languish for her. Bear these jewels. 
Sent in the way of sacrifice, not serrioe, 
A 9 to my goddess : aU let:^^ thrown behind me. 
Or f(^ra that may deter me, say, this morning 
I mean to visit her b)"^ the name of EHendship ; 
—No words to contradict this. 

Mac* I am yours ; 
And, if my travail tliia wny Ije ill spent. 
Judge not my readier will by the event. [ 



4 



ACT IL 



SCENE I.-^^ Ritom if J DoitoTTi£A*s Hovte. 
Enter Si'tTNCius, and Ihacir&H 
Sptm. TumChnstkn! Would lie duit firH tempted 



• tf'aa i^mutt ikat\ ^ith/gat;] The rvftdlag of il\e tnt 
miAilio In dradt wlxld) iuav perbaps, be tbv gvnninr wont. 
Till? fable it from the GrvtL iv ft prcccdini^ line ihci-f li 
«ii illnnion (u Ihc pitivcrb :^Fn»cut a ./otnf, wd procul a 

ii'Ui ihrlnk ;] Ho JiU thf nhl coplc«. 
W' , ilv, ftitil riniocfilcalK n-nJ : 

( " . ik, Ac, (.tmitted lu EillL vt 1813.) 

I A tiiiwrnttr* pitum upmk IAetf.J Frvm fJie Lslia ; nc Hm 
mihi tuitft, 

♦ Alt kit thrmn biMnd wwj L t. All impwU- 

menu. So In llic .Httgor nf Qvin^orvHffh . 



me to have my shoes walk upoti Christian soles, had 
turned me into a capon ; for I am sure now, the 
stones of all my pleasure, in this fleshly ilfv, wi9 
cut off. 



" Mope, snd hv ante I'll imm rrtiiove lli« tct 
Tbail stands bctwctii IIk'v hihI ijijr (»lury/' 

li Very few of our old Knii-lisli plajj »i\' free tlmtn xhf9^ 
di.dogiK.t <if loifv ^U ami bntfoonery : *ivmt> tLf vire c*f Um 
Hfr ; nor U Mh^in^v^t K-s* fm* rinm ll lh/ii» liU i'^rtfrnp**- 
rjirk-*, TotliftMil il»piT> i« Itnpos^lblr, nur ili*U t atlviupt 
it. Tbe> arc *.i{ i\\\i> luc. ttiat tlnry mark thr lattv, dil>plii> 

ibtf iKinrrtv \ .Ki .V .,. «>,..( .,,. ti,. .iner aeii|;bt aial 

enti I 

ft i.ii lo am «kkl 

pla>-, 1 ...i . .1= ,:it cuulAiiiiiiMtc^ 

with Aucii ^ioUUv rib«liiry m the prvwtt>{« To " low Wit,** 



t 




SCKKK I.J 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



Hir. So then, if any coxcomb has a galloping de- 

. aire to ride, here's a gelding, if he can bat sit him. 

' Spun, I kick, for all that, like a horse; — ^look 

i else. 

i Hir. Bat that is a kickish jade, fellow Spungius. 

I Hare not I as mach cause to complain as thoa hast? 

, When 1 was a pasan, there was an infidel punk of 

i mine, would hare let me come upon trust for my 

I curetting : a pox on your Christian cockatrices ! 

; they cry, like poolterers' wires:— No money, no 

' coney. 

1 1 Spun, Bacchus, the god of brew'd wine and sugar, 
1 1 grand patron of rob-pots, upsy-freesy tipplers, and 

I super-naculum takers ; this Bacchus, who is head 
jl warden of Vintners'-hall, ale-conner, mayor of all 

I I rictualling-houses, the sole liquid benefu^r to bawdy 
I' houses; kmoeprenule to red noses, and invincible 
1 1 adelantado over the armado of pimpled, deep-scarleted , 
1 1 rubified, and carbuncled feces 

|l Hir. What of aU this? 

i Spun, This bocm Bacchanalian skinker, did I make 
ij legs to. 

I ' Hir. Scurvy ones, when thou wert drunk. 
1 1 Sputu There is no danger of losing a man's ears 
I by making these indentures ; he that will not now 
1 1 and then be Calabingo, is worse than a Calamoothe. 
1 1 When I was a pagan, and kneeled to this Bacchus, 
1 1 I durst out-drink a lord ; but your Christian lords 
1 1 out-bowl me. I was in hope to. lead a sober life, 
1 1 when I was converted ; but, now amongst the Chris- 
tians, I can no sooner stagger out of one alehouse, 
but I reel into another : Uiey have whole streets of 
nothing but drinking-rooms, and drabbin;j^-cham- 
bers, jumbled together. 

Hir. Bawdy Piiapus, the first schoolmaster chat 
taught butchers to stick pricks in flesh, and make it 
swell, thou know'st, was the only ningle that I cared 
for under the moon ; but, since I left him to follow 
a scurvy ladv, what with her praying and our fast- 
ing, if now 1 come to a wench, and offer to use her 
any thing hardly (telling her, being a Christian, she 
must endure), die presently handles me as if I were 
a clove, and cleaves me with disdain, as if I were a 
calfs head. 

Spun, I see no remedy, fellow Hircius, but that 
thou and I must be half pagans, and half Christians ; 
for we know verv fools Uiat are Christians. 

Hir. Right : the quarters of Christians are good 
for nothing but to feed crows. 

Spun. True : Christian brokers, thou know'st, are 
1 1 made up of the quarters of Christians ; par-boil one 
1 1 of these rogues, and he is not meat for a dog : no, 

I or indeed to wit of any kind, it has not the sligheit preten- 

, »ion ; beiog, in fiict, nothing more than a loatluome sooter- 

I kin engendered of filth and dnlneaa. (It was evidently the 

i aathor'a design to personify Lutt and DrunkermetB in the 

characters of Hircios and Spangias, and this may accoant 

for Uie ribaldry in which they indaige.) That Massinger is 

I nuc free from dialogues of low wit "and bafTooncry (thoagh 

• certainly, notwithalanding Coseter's assertion, he is mach 

more so than his contemporaries) may readily be granted ; 

bat the person who, alter perusing this execrable trash, can 

' imagine ic to bear any resemblance to his style and manner, 

moat have read him to very little purpose. It was assoredly 

I written by Decker, as was the rest of this act, in which there 

is orach to apnrove : with respect to this scene, and every 

P<fc*^ ia whien the present speakers are introduced, I recom- 

nicnd them to the reader's supreme scorn and contempt ; if 



supreme scorn and contempt ;, 
entirely wer, he wfO Jose little of the story, 
ot his i«q>ect tor the author. I have carefully 
_t text ta innimierahle places, but given it no 
fsrther eooalderatioa. 1 repeat my entreaty that the readvr 
woarid reject k akofetber. 



he pass 

ana a«AfaM(< 

eded&text ta 



no, I am resolved to have an infidel's heart, though 
in shew I carry a Christian's face. 

Hir, Thy last shall serve my foot : so will I. 
Spun, Our whimpering lady and mistress sent me 
with two gni-eat' baskets full of beef, mutton, veal 

and goose, fellow Hircius 

Hir. And woodcock, fellow Spungius. I 

Spun. Upon the poor lean ass-fellow, on which I 
ride, to all the almswomen : what think'st thou I 
have done with all this good cheer ? 
Hir. Eat it ; or be choked else. 
Spun. Would my ass, basket and all, were in thy 
maw, if I did ! No, as I am a demi-pagan, I sold the 
victuals, and coined the money into pottle pots of 
wine. I 

Hir. Therein thou shewed'st thyself a perfect 
demi-christian too, to let the poor beg, starve, and 
hang, or die of the pip. O^r puling, snotty-nose 
lad^ sent me out likewise with a purse of money, to 
relieve and release prisoners : — Did I so, think you ? 
Spun. Would thy ribs were turned into grates of 
iron then. 

i7tr. As I am a total pagan, I swore they should 
be hanged first ; for, sirrah Spungius, I lay at my 
old word of lechery, and cried, a pox on your two- 
penny wards ! and so I took scurvy common flesh 
for the money. 

Spun. And wisely done ; for our lady, sending it 
to prisoners, had bestowed it out upon lousy knaves : 
and thou, to save that labour, ca^t'st it away upon 
rotten whores. 

Hir. All my fear is of that pink-an-eye jack-au- 
apes boy, her page. 

Spun. As 1 am a pagan from my cod-piece down- 
ward, that white-faced monkey frights me too. I 
stole but a dirty pudding, last day, out of an alms- 
basket, to give my dog when he was hungry, and the 
peaking chitty-face page hit me in the teeth with it. 
Hir. With the dirty pudding ! so he did me once 
with a cow-turd, which in knavery I would have 
crumb 'd into one's porridge, who was half a pagan 
too. The smug dandiprat smells us out, whatsoever 
we are doing. 

Spun. Does he ? let him take heed I prove not 
his back-friend : Til make him curse his smelling 
what I do. 

Hir. *Tis my lad^ spoils the boy ; for he is ever 
at her tail, and she is never well but in his company. 

Enter AKOfcLO with a book, and a taper lighted ; they 
seeing him, counterfeit devotion, 

Aug. O ! now your hearts make ladders of your 
eyes. 
In shew to climb to heaven, when your devotion 
Walks upon crutches. Where did you waste your 
When the religious man was on his knees, [time, 
Speaking the heavenly language? 

Spun. Why, fellow Angelo, we were speaking in 
pedlar's French, I hope, 

Hir. We have not been idle, take it upon my word. 

Ang. Have you the baskets emptied, which your 
Sent, from her charitable hands, to women [ladv 
That dwell upon her pity? 

Spun. Emptied them ! yes ; I'd be loth to have 
my belly so empty ; yet, I am sure, I munched not 
one bit of them neither. 

Ang. And went your money to the prisoners ? 

Hir. Went ! no ; I carried it, and with these fin- 
gers paid it away. 



Ang, What wny ? tlie devir» wa^, the w»j of sin, 
Thp way of hot damnntion, w«y of lust t 
And you, to wash away the poor man's bread 
In hfiwla of dninki»QDM«, 

Spun. DrunkeniiM* I ye«, yes, I uii^ to be dnnik ; 
Ottr TiRxt neigbbour^ft moii, colled Chrisfopher^ hatli 
ofiea seen roe drunk, butli be not 1 

/ftr. Or me giren so to the fieab ! my cbeeltB 
vp^ik my doiDfi^s. 

Ang. Avjiunt, ye tJiiev^es. and hollow bypocriti»a ! 
Vour bi'nrt.s to me lie own like black bookH* 
And tlii<«r© I n>ad your aciing«*. 

5/wjfi, And what do you r».»«d in tny bwrtt 

ffir. Or to mine ? come, umiable Augeto, be«t the 
flint of your bmins, 

Spvn, And let's see what sparkB of wit fly out to 
kindb> your cerebrum. [g^iuscnird, 

Att^. Vour names even brand you ; you are Spun- 
And like a spunge, you mwk up lickerish wiues, 
Till your soul reela to b<?!L 

Spun. To hell ! can any drunkard's legs cany him 
so fiir? food, 

dng. For blood of grnpei you sold tlie widows* 
And starving them 'tJa muroer; what's this but 

hull?—. 
Iltrcius your name, and gontiah is your nature : 
You snatch the meat out of tlie prisoner's mouth, 
To fatten harlots i is not thin heil loo 1 
No mi^el, but the devil, waits on you. 

Spun, Shall 1 cut bid throat 1 

i/j>, No ; better bum bim, for I think be ia a 
witch ; but sooth, aootb him. 

Spun. Fellow Angelo. trtie it ia, that falling hito 
tbe componv of wicked he-christians, for my part — 

liir. And sbe-onea^ for mine,-^we have them 
swim in shods bard by 

Spun, We must confess, I took too much out of 
tbe pot ; and be of t'other hollow commodity. 

Hir, Yes, indeed, we laid Jill on both of us : wo 
cosim'd tbe poor ; but 'tis a etimmon thing ; many a 
one. that counts himself a better Christian than we 
twot has done it, by this lif^bt, 

Spuji, But pray, sweet Angelo, play not ilie tell- 
tale to my lady ; and, if yon take lu creeping into 
any of these mouse-holea of sin any mote, let cats 
flay off our skinis. 

Hir, And put nothing but the poison 'd tails of ^ 
rats into those skins. 

Ang. Will you dishonour her sweet charity. 
Who saved you from the tree of death nnd abnrae ? 

Hir, Would I w^ere hanged, i-utlier tbau tlius be 
told of my faults, 

Spun, 8 bo took us, tis true, from tbe gailows ; 
yet 1 hope a he will not bur yet:>mea sprats to have 
ll>eir swmg. 

Afis., She comes, beware and mf*nd. 

Hir» Let's bleak hia neck, and bid him mend. 

Enter DoaorrtEA* 

Dar. Have yoti my me«tag«a. aetit to the poor, 
Delivered with goocfhandsj not robbing tbem 
Of any jot was tbetrs? 

Sjfitn, lUih themi Indy ! I hope neitlier toy fellow 
nor 1 am thieves. 

Hir. D*diverfd witli g^ood hands, miubtm ? el*e 
let me never lick my lingers more when 1 (rat btit- 
terM fish, 

Dtrr, Wbo ebeat tbe poor, and from tbem pluck 
their alma. 
Pilfer from heavpn ; and there are thunderbolts 



From ibence to he.it them ever* Do not lie. 
Were you both fnithful, true distributers? 

Spun, Lie, madam I what grivf ia it to cae fm 
turn swncTf^erer, and gire your poor-minded nacnllj 
serrunbi tlie lie. 

thn Vm glud you do not ; if tliose wre^obed people 
Tell you I hey pine for wont of any tbin«'. 
Whisper but to mine ear, and you ihall Ornish tbem. 

Itir. Whisper! nay, lady, for my patt 111 cry 
wboop. 

Anf^, Play no more, villaina, with ao good a lady ; 
For, if you do 



^/lUM. 



Are we Christians? 



II ir. The foul tiend snap all pagnoa for mm, 

Ang. Away, and, once more, mead. 

Spun. Takes ua for botchers. 

Hir. A patcl}, a pwitrb !* [EUrant Spun, and llir. 

Dor. IVIy book and taper.f 

Arig. Here, most holy mistfess. 

Dor. 1 hy ^^oJce sends forth such music* that I 
Was nivisJi'd with a more celestial sound, [never 
Wrre every servant in the world like thee, 
So full of goodnessi angeU would come down 
To dwell with us : thy name is Angelo, 
And like that name tlioti art ; get thee to raalf 
Thy youtii with too much watching is opprest* 

Ah£, No, my detir lady, I could weary stars. 
And ioroe the wakeful moon to lose her eyea 
By my Inte watrhing, hut to wait on you. 
When at your pntyer* you kneel before tbe altir, 
i^letbinks I'm singing with some quire in heaTent 
8o blest I hold me in your comimwy : 
Therefore, my most loved mistress, do not bid 
Your boy, so serviceable, to get henoe ; 
For then you break bis beorl. 

Dor, Be nigh me still, then ; 
In goldea letters down I'll »et timt dny. 
Which gave thee fo me. Little ilid 1 bop* 
To meet such worlds of comfort in thyself^ 
This little, pretty body ; when 1, coming 
Forili of the temple, heard my beggar-boy, 
My sweet-faced, eodly beggar boy, crave an alma, 
Whic h with glad bano I pavt«, with lucky hand ?— 
Ami when I took tJn>o horop, my most chaste bcfsom, 
i\fethought, was fiU'd with no hot wanlou fire, 
But with a holy Same, mountiuK; since higher, 
On wtugs if cherubins, than it did before, 

Ang, Proud am t^ that my lady's modest eye 
So likes m poor a servant. 

Dor, I have offer *d 
llaQdfuls of gold but to bcihold thy parents. 
I would leave kiii}^domi», were I queen of some. 
To dwell with (by good fathtT ; for. the son 
llevritching me so deeply wiUi bivS pre&ence. 
He tliat begot bini must do*t ten limes more, 
I pray thee, my sweet boy, shew mo thy parvnla j 
Be not ji-sliumpd. 

Aug. I am iiot : I did never 
Know who my mother was: but, by yon palaoo 



• Hir. I pfih'hr a / 
the frurd ii uvUktilly > 



, rani— In f bit 1 



.Vm,^ * I **.*. Act H. St. 1, 

alllltiiigli DOW obnnlctc LD Uic tvu»v: ticie tituuik^ It rrt^jrctHlly 
c*ccnn, io tilt! c.ld df7im4il»l«. ED. 

t Dor, Afy hook and tuprr.] Wh ^ r.ii ..^. *.. ri 
Ilir •eenv, in i-\t)ttUtuly tH-4tititiil. ^^ 
CKpiibk' iif lrl<:rn•1lllu^ niir tH*M pas»i' > 
tbjil IbU mIsm) wi« wrilleu l)y Derki i ., .. ..... ,,..., 

|eniu» «im1 liLs joitg,in«>iii to ihr yrtnimnUttt oi mli 
only «1h|^rnc« IxloiML'lf, kad diiigtiM hU iriMtcr- 



i£i 



d^^^ 



mm 



SCINB II.] 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



11 



FOrd with bright hearenly courtiers, I dare assure 
And Dawn these eyes upon it, and this hand, [you, 
My &ther is in heaven : and pretty mistress, 
If your illustrious hour-glass spend his sand 
No worse than yet it does, upon my life. 
You and I both shall meet my father there. 
And he shall bid you welcome. 

Dor, A blessed day ! 
We all long to be there, but lose the way. 

\ExeunU 

SCENE IL—A StnH near Dorotuba's Hotije. 
"Enter Macrinvs, mst by Theopbilus and Haepax. 

Theop, The Sun, god of the day, guide thee, 

Mac. And thee, Theo^ilus ! [Macrinus ! 

Tkeoplu Clad'st thou m such scorn* ? 
I call my wish biick. 

Mae. I*m in haste. 

Tkuok. One word. 
Take the least hand of time up :— stay : 

Mac. Be brief. [Macrinus, 

Thmffik. As thought : I prithee tell me, good 
How health and our fair princess lay together 
This night, for you can teU ; courtiers have fliesf 
That buis all news uoto them. 

Mae. She slept but ill. 

Theopk. Double thy courtesy ; how does Antoninus? 

Mae. Ill, well, straight, crooked, — I know not how. 

Theopk. Once more ; 
— Thy head is full of windnuUs :~when doth the 
Fill a bed full of beauty, and bestow it [princess 
Go Antomnus, on the wedding-night? 

Mac. I know not. 

Theojph. No ! thou art the manuscript, 
Where Antonmns writes down all his secrets : 
Honest Macrinus, tell me. 

Afar. Fare you well, sir. [Exit. 

Harp. Honesty is some fiend, and frights liim 
A numy courtiers love it not^. [hence ; 

Theopk. What piece 
Of this state-wheel, i^hich winds up Antoninus, 
Is broke, it miis so jarringly 1 the man 
Ia from himself divided : O thou, the eye 
By which I wonders see, teD me, my Harpax, 
What gad-fly tidkles this Macrinus so. 
That, flinging up the tail, he breaks thus from me. 

Harp. Oh, sir, his brain-pan is a bed of snakes. 
Whose stings ahoot through his eye baUs, whose 

poisonous spawn 
Ingenders such a fry of speckled villainies, 
That, unless channs more strong than adamant 
Be used, the Roman angel's} wmgs shall melt, 

• Thmpk. Glad'st thoa in euch »com f] Tbls is the reading 
of «U tiie old copies, moA appeal* to l>e tlie geDoioe one. 
Tbeophilos, who Is represented as a furioas xealut fur pa- 
gaiiitm, is mortified at the indifference with which Macrinas 
retHma the happioeas he liad wished him by his god. Mr. 
M. Maaoo read«, Oaddest thou in mch team f 

t cowrlifTs A«w flies] This word is nsed by 

Ben Jooson, a cloae and devoted imiutor of the ancienu, 
for a dcmicatic paraake, a familiar, &c. and from tiim, pro- 
bably. Decker adopted it in the present sense. 

X A wny eomrtimn hoe it not] Thu b the reading of the 
Arst quarto. The editora follow that of the last two :— Aod 

OMg Ste. which b not to good. 

$ t he Roman angvl's] As angels were uo part 



I «r Ibe 
I Ike II 



I angcii 
tbeolonTf thb shoald'crrfain/v be at^fel from 
amfelio, which means a bird. M. Mason. 
It wen to be wiabad that critics would sometimes apply 
1vis iIm advice which GoneriU gives to pooi old 

' I pray yo«, father, being loniA, seem so ;" 



And Caesar's diadem be from his head 

Spum'd by base feet ; the kiurel which he wears, 

Returning victor, be enforced to kiss. 

That which it hates, the fire. And cim this ram. 

This Antoninus-engine, being made readj 

To so much mischief, keep a steady motion ? — 

His eyes and feet, you see, give strange assaults. 

Theoj^. I'm tum'd a marble statue at thy language 
Which printed is in such crabb'd characters. 
It puzzles all mj reading : what, in the name 
or Pluto, now IS hatching? 

Harp, This Macrinus* 
The line is, u^n which love-errands nm 
'Twixt Antoninus and that ghost of women. 
The bloodless Dorothea, who in prayer 
And meditation, mocking all your gods. 
Drinks up her ruby colour : yet Antoninus 
Plays the Endymion to this pale-iaced moon. 
Courts, seeks to catch her eyes — 

ITieoph. And what of this ? 

Harp. These are but creeping billows. 
Not got to shore yet : but if Dorothea 
Fall on his bosom, and be fired with love, 
(Your coldest women do so,) — had you ink 
Brew'd from the infernal Styx, not dl that blackness 
Can make a thing so foul, as the dishonours, 
Disgraces, buffetings, and most base aSronts 
Upon the bright Artemia, star o' th' court. 
Great Cassar's daughter. 

Theopk. I now conster thee. [fill'd 

Harp. Nay, more ; a firmament of clouds, being 
With Jove's artillery, shot down at once. 
To pasht your gods in pieces, cannot give. 



we should not then find so many of these certainti^. The 
barbarons word augel, of which Mr. M. Mason speaks so 
confidently, b foreign to our language, whereas anffelt in 
the sense of birds, occurs frequently. Jookon beaulifully 
ealb the nightingale, "the dear good emgel of the spting ;>' 
and if this should be ibouKht, as it probably b, a Grecbm ; 
yet we have the same term in another passage, which will 
admit of no dbpnte : 

** Not an angel of the air 
Bird melodious, or Inrd Mr, &c. 

Two Noble Kintmen. 

In Mandcville, the barbarous Herodotus of a barbarous 
age, there b an account of a people (probably the remaiuk 
of the old Guebrcs) who exposed the dead bodies of their 
parents to ihe/otr^« qf the air. They reserved, however, 
the sculls, of which, says he, the son, *' letethe make a cnppe, 
and thereof dr>'nkethe he with gret devociona. In remem- 
braunce of the holy man that the aungeUs qf God had eten. 

** By tbls expression," says Mr. Hole, •' Mandeville possi- 
bly meant to insinuate that they were considered as sacred 
nteuenger:** No, surely : avngelet qf God, was synony- 
mous in Mandevllle's vocabulary, to fowteg qfthe air. With 
Greek phraseology he was, perhaps*, but little acquainted, but 
he knew his own language well. (By w^/ b meant the 
Roman ansign, the eagle). 

The reader cannot but have already observed how ill the 
style of Decker assimilates with that of Masslnger : in the 
former act Harpax had spoken sufficiently plain, and told 
Theophilus of strange and important events, without these 
harsb and violent starts and metaphors. 

• Harp. 'iliiM Macrimu 

The line {«, 4c.] The old copies read time. Before I mw 
Mr. M. Mason's emendation, I had altered it to twine. Line 
however, appears to be the genuine word. The allusion is 
to the rude fire>works of our ancestors. So, in the Fawne, 
by Marston. 

• " Page. There be squibs, sir, running upon linea, like 
some of our gawdy gallants," &c., (and in Decker's Honest 
Whore. " Troth mistress, to tell you true, the fire-works 
then ran from me upon linei" &e.) 

f To pash ifour gode in piecee ] So the old copies. Cox- 
etcr (who is followed, as usual, by Mr. M. Mason), ignorant 
perhaps of the sense of paeh, changed it to daeh, a word of 
far less energy, and of a different meaAlng. The latter sig- 
nifies, to throw one thing with violence against another ; the 



19 



THE VIRGIX-MARrYR. 



[AcrlL 



With all those thanderbolts, so deep m Wow 
To the religrion there, and pagan lore. 
As this ; for Dorothea hates vour gods. 
And. if she once hiast Antoninus* soul. 
Making it foul like hers. Oh ! the example— 

Theoph. Eats through C«^sarea*s heart like liquid 
poison. 
Hare I invented tortures to tear Christians, 
To see but which, could all that feel bell's torments 
Hare leave to stand aloof here on earth's staee. 
They would be mad *tiU they again descended, 
Holciing the pains most horrid of such souls, 
May-games to those of mine : has this my hand 
Set down a Christian's execution 
In such dire postures, that the very hangman 
Fell at my foot dead, hearing but their figures ; 
And shall Macrinus and his feUow-masker 
Strangle me in a dance ! 

Harp. No ;— on ; 1 hu^ thee. 
For drilling thy quick brams in this rich plot 
Of tortures 'gainst these Christians : on ; I hug thee ! 

Theof)h. Both hug and holy me ; to this D^thea 
Fly thou and I in thunder. 

Harp. Not for kingdoms 
Piled upon kingdoms : there's a villain page 
Waits on her, whom I would not for the world 
Hold traffic with ; I do so hate his sight 
lliat, should I look on him, I must sink down. 

Theoph. I will not lose thee then, her to confound ; 
None but this head with glories shall be crown *d. 

Harp. Oh ! mine own as I would wish thee. 

[Kxeunt. 



SCENE III. — A Room in DoROTiiE.i*s House, 
Enter Dorothea, Macrinus, and Angelo. 

Dor. My trusty Angelo, with that curious eye 
Of thine, which ever waits upon my business,' 
I prithee watch those my still-negireent servants, 
That they perform my will, in what s enjoined them 
To the good of others ; else will you find them flies, 
Not lying still, yet in them no good lies : 
Be careful, dear boy. 

Ang. Yes, my sweetest mistress.* 

Dor. Now, sir, you may go on. 

Mac. I then must study 
A new arithmetic, to sum up the virtues 
Which Antoninus gracefully become. 
There is in him so much man, so much goodness, 



[Exit. 



former, to ttrike a thing with Mich force u to crash it to 
pieces. Thai in Act IV. of this tragedy : 
-when the battering ram 



Wu fetching his career backwards, to poA, 
lie with bis horns in pieces." 
The word is now obsolete ; which is to be regretted, as we 
have none thai can adequately snpply its place : it is nsed in 
its proper sense by Dryden, which is the latest insUnce 1 
recollect : 

" Thy cnnning engines have with labour raised 
My heavy anger, lilce a mighty weight. 
To fall and jMtk thee." 
Mr. Glflbrd might have added the following iDnstration in 
which the distinction between pa^ and daah b pointedly 
roarkwl. * ^ 

" They len him (Becket) not till they had cut and poshed 
oat his brains, and daahed them-abont npon the chnrch 
pavement." Holinshcd, Hen. II. an. 1171. 

It wonM not be difficalt to cite many other authorities to 
snpport of the use here made of this now obsolete word. Shaka- 
peare frequently uses it. RD. 

• Ani. Yet, n.p sweetest mitire$B.] So the oW copies : 
the nuKfern editors read. Yet, my sweet mlafrcsa, which de- 
sloys the metre. 



So much of honour, and of all things rise, 11 

Which make our being excellent, uat frcnihis store ' 
He can enough lend oChen ; yet, much ts'on fran 

him, j 

The want shall be as little, as when sens I 

Lend from their bounty, to fill up Uie poomessl* 
Of needy rivers. ! 

Dor. Sir be is more indebted 
To you for praise, than yon to him Ant owes it. 

Mac. If queens, riewmg bis presents pud to the 
whiteness 
Of your chaste hand alone, should be nmbhioas 
But to be parted in their nuneioas sheras ;t 
This he counts nothing : coold jroa see main eimies 
Make battles in the quarrel of ms Tslour, 
That 'tis the best, the truest, this were nothing; 
The greatness of his state, his &ther*s roice 
And arm awing C«sares4 he ne'er boasts of; 
The sunbeams which the emperor throws upon him. 
Shine there but as in water, and gild him 
Not with one spot of pride : no, desrest benntj, I ' 

All these, heaped up together in one scale, | 

Cannot weigh down the lore he bears to jon, | 

Being put into the other. ! 

Dcr. Could gold buy yon j 

To speak thus for a friend, yon, nr, are woirthy 
Of more than I will number ; and this your langn^ 
Hath power to win upon another woman. 
Top of whose heart tbe feathers of this world 
Are gaily stuck : but all which first yon named. 
And now this last, his love, to me are nothing. 

Afar. You make me a sad messenger ;— but him- 
self 

Enter Antondtus. 

Being come in person, shaU, I hope, hear from yoa 
Music more pleasing. 

Anton. Has your ear, Macrinus, 
Heard none, then I | 

Mae. None I like. 

Anton. But can there be 
In such a noble casket, wherein lie 
Beiuty and chastity in their full perfections, 
A roclcy heart, killing with cruelty 
A life that's prostrated beneath vour leett 

Dor. 1 am guilty of a shame f yet ne*er knew. 
Thus to hold parley with you ;— pray, sir, pardon. 

Anton. Good sweetness, you now have it, and shsU 
Be but so merciful, before your wounding me [go; 
With such a mortal weapon as Farewell, 
To let me murmur to your virgin ear. 
What I was loth to by on any tongue 
But this mine own. 

Dor. If one immodest accent 
Fly out, 1 hate you everlastingly. 

Anton. My true love dares not do it. 

Mae, Hermes inspire thee ! 



• toJSU up the poomen.] Tbe modem cditonrcad 

I know not why— fo Jill ttp their p oo rm e m ! 

f i^sif to be parted iis theW mnmrow sAsret ,*} This th« | ' 
former editors have modernised into 

But to be partners, ttc 
a better word, perhaps, but not for that, to be nnwarrantabiy 
thrust into the text. The expression mav be foand ia the 
writers of our author's age, especially in Ben Joosoo, ia Ike 
sense here required : to be parted; to be lavoarcd, or «•• 
dowed with a part. 

* And arm awing Ceeeareeu] I have ventured to dlffrr 
here fh>m all tbe copies, which read ewUig ; Che cn>cr, ifit 
be one, as I think it is, probably arose from the espcwilaa 
being t4kcn «l<iwn by the ear. 



Scene III.] 



THE VlRGIN-MARTYIt 



19 



Enter above, Aetemu, Sapritivii, Tueophilus, 
Spuvgius, and Hibcids. 

Spun, So, now, do you see ?— Our work is done ; 
the fish joa angle for is nibbling at the hook, and 
therefore untruss the ood-piece-point of our reward 
no matter if the breeches of conscience fall about our 
heels. 

TTuopk, The gold you earn is here ; dam up your 
And no words of it. * [mouths, 

Hir. No ; nor no words from you of too much 
damning neither. I know women seU themselves 
daily, and are hacknied out for silyer : why may not 
we, then, betray a scurry mistress for gold ? 

Spun. She saved us from the gallows, and, only 
to keep one proverb from breaking his neck, we'll 
hang her. [white bo)'s. 

Theopk. T'is well done; go, go, you're my fine 
Spun. If your red boys, 'tis well kno^-n more ill- 
favoured faces than ours are painted. 
Sap. Those fellows trouble us. 
j ' Tkeoph, Away, away ! 
i I Hir. I to my sweet placket. 
1 1 Spun, And I to my roll pot. 
1 1 [^Exeunt. Hhr, and Spun. 

j Anton. Come let me tune you: — glaie not thus 

I With self-love of a vowed virginity, [your eyes 
I ; Make every man your glass ; you see our sex 

I I Do never murder propagation ; 

I ! We all desire your sweet society, 

1 1 And if you bar me from it, you do kill me, 

I And of my blood are guilty. 

I, Artem. O base villain ! 

I i Sap. Bridle your rage, sweet princess. 

I Anton. Could not my fortunes, 

I Rear*d higher far than yours, be worthy of you, 

I Methinks my dear affection makes you mine. 

I Dor. Sir, for your fortunes, were they mines of 

I He that I love is richer ; and for worth, [gold, 

j You are to him lower than any slave 

I Is to a monarch. 

Sap. So insolent, base Christian ! 

I Dor. Can I, with wearing out my knees before 

I Get you but be his servant, you shall boast [him, 

^ You re equal to a king. 

I Sap. Confusion on thee. 

For playing thus the Ijring sorceress' ! [the sun 

I Anion. Your mocks are great ones ; none beneath 

I I Will I be servant to. — Ou my knees I beg it, 
t Pity me, wondrous maid. 

! I Sap. I curse thy baseness. 

I Theaph. Listen to more. 
Dor. O kneel not, sir, to me. 

I I Anton, This knee is emblem of an humbled heart : 
I That heart which tortured is with your disdain, 

Justly for scorning others, even this heart, 
' To which for pity such a princess sues, 
I As in her hana offers me all the world, 
I Great Cesar's daughter. 
I Artem, Slave, thou liest 
I. Anton, Yet this 

Is adamant to her, that melts to you 

In drops of blood. 
Tkeoph. A very dog ! 
Anton. Perhaps 

Tia my religion makes you knit the brow ; 

Yet be you mine, and ever be your own : 

1 ne'er will screw your conscience from that Power, 

On which you Christians lean. 
Sap, I can no kmger 



Fr^ out my life with weeping at thee , villain. 
Sirrah ! [Atoud. 

Would, when I ^t thee, the high Thunderer s hand 
Had struck thee m the womb ! 

Mac. We are betray 'd. 

Artem. Is that the Idol, traitor, which thou kneel'st 
Trampling upon my beauty ? [to, 

Tkeoph. Sirrah, l>andog* ! 
Wilt thou in pieces tear our Jupiter 
For her? our Mars for her ? our Sol for her ? 
A whore ! a hell-hound ! In this globe of brains. 
Where a whole world of furies for such tortures 
Have fouffht, as in a chaos, which should exceed. 
These naiu shall flnubbing lie from skull to skull. 
To find one horrider than all, for you. 
You three !. 

Artem. Threaten not, but strike : quick vengeance 
Into my bosomf ! caitiff! here all love dies, [flies 

{Exeunt above, 

Anton. O ! I am thunderstruck ! We are both 
o'erwhelm'd 

Mac. With one high-raging billow. 

Dor, You a soldier, 
And sink beneath the violence of a woman ! 

Anton. A woman ! a wrong'd princess. From 
such a star 
Blazing with fires of hate, what can be look'd for. 
But tragical events? my life is now 
The subject of her tyranny. 

Dor. That fear is base. 
Of death, when that death doth but life displace 
Out of her house of earth ; you only dread 
The stroke, and not what follows when you're dead 
There's the great fear, indeed t : come, let your eyes 
Dwell where mine do, you'll scorn their tyrannies. 

Re-enter below, Artemia, SAPRmus, Tiieophilvs, a 
guard ; Angei.o come* and stands dote by Doro- 
thea. 

Artem. My father's nerves put vigour in mine arm. 
And I bis streneth must use. Because I once 
Shed beams of favour on thee, and, with the lion, 
Play'd with thee gently, when thou struck'st my 
ril not insult on a base, humbled prey, [heart, 

• Theoph. Sirrak, bandog. 

JVilt thou in pieces tear our Jupiter.] A bandog, ai the 
name imports, was a d«>g so fierce, as to require to be 
chained op. Bxndogs are frequently mentioned by oar old 
writers (indeed the word occurs three times in this very 

flay) and always with a reference to their savage nature. 
f the term was appropriated to a species, it probably meant 
a large dog, of the mastiff kind, which, though no longer 
met with here, is still common in many parts of Germany : 
it was familiar to Snyders, and if found m most of his huut- 
ine-pieces. 

In this country the bandog was kept to bait bears: with 
the decline of that " noble sport," peitHips, the animal fell 
into disuse, as he was too ferocious for any domestic pur- 
pose. Mr. Uilrhrist has ftamished me with a curious pas- 
sage from Laneham, Mhich renders any further details on 
the subject unnecessary. " On the syxih day of her majes- 
tves cumming, a great sort of bandog* whcar thear tyed in 
the utter coonrt, and thyrtecn bears In the inner. Whooso- 
ever made the panncll thear wear enoow for a queast, and 
one for a challenge and need wear. A wight of great wis- 
doom and gravitie seemed their foreman to be, had it 
cnm to a Jury : but it fell oout that they wear caused to 
appeer thear upon no such matter, but onlie too onswear 
too an auncfen/ auarrtle between them and the bandog*,*' ftc. 
Queen Elizabeth* Entertainment at KiUingworth Caetle, in 
1075. 

t quick vengeance fiie* 

Into my botom, ice] The old copies read. Into thy 
bo*om. For the change, which is obviously necessary, I am 
answerable. 

X There'* the great fear indeed:] The modem editors 
omit gruit, which is fonmi in the first and second quartos. 



Br lingefinj oat tby tvrrora ; but with one frovrn 
Kill tbie : hence with *era all to execution. 
Beiie him ; but let even death it«elf be weary 
la torturinf!^ her. I'll change those smiles to shrieks ; 
Giru the f<M)l what she^s proud of, martyrdom i 
In pitfces rack that bawd too. 

Aap. Albeit the reverence 
I owe OUT ffoda, and voU;, are in my bosom, 
TorreoU so strongs tW pity qnit« lie* drown*d 
From saTtDK this youoj^ man ; vet, when I »Mt 
What §a/C9 Seath girea bim, ana diat a Uiing within 
days, *tis my son. t am forced to be a man, [mo 
And grow k)nd of hia life, which thus 1 beg. 

ArUm, And I deny, 

Amton* Sir, you dishonour me. 
To ilU) for that which 1 disclaim to have. 
I ab^l more glory in my fiufFerings gain 
Than you in giving judgment, since I oAct 
Wy blood up to your anger ; nor do I kneel 
To kaep a wretched life of mine from ruin ; 
PreatTve this temple, builded fair aa yours ia*, 
An<l CiDJiar never went in greater triumph. 
Than 1 shall! to the icafibld. 

Artm. Are you so brave, iir T 
Set forward to his triumph, and 1st those two 
Go eursing along with him, 

Uar, No, but paying, 
For ray [mrt, I, that you lose ten times more 
Bv torturing rae, than I that dare vour tortures : 
Tnrough all the army of ray sins. I have even 
Laboured to break, and cope with deatli to tli' face* 
Tbe visage of a hangman frights not m« ; 
Tbe «ght of whips* racks, gibbets, axes, fires, 
Are scaffoldings by which my ioul climbs up 
To SQ eCemal habitation. 

Thwph. Ciwaar's imperifd daughter, hear me spemk 
r<*t not this Christian thing, in this her pageantry 
Of jproud deriding both our god.** and Cn >ftar» 
Build to hersfilf a kingdom in her deatlu 
Goingt Isughing from ui : no ; her bitterest tonneDt 
Shali be, to feel her constitnry Ireaten down : 
TUe bmvery of her resolution lie 
BatteT*d, by argument, into such pieces, 
That she again shall, on her belly, cwep 
To kiss the pavements of our piunim gods* 

j4if#ni. How to be done ? 

Thfoph, V\\ bend my dnnehteri to her, 
And they shall turn her rocky faith to wax ; 
Else spit at me Jet me be made your slave. 
And meet do Roman's but a rillain's gmve. 

Artem. Thy prisoner let her be, then ; and, 
Sapritius, 
Your son and that{, be yours : desth shnH bo sent 
1\} hJm that sudTers them, by voice or letters, 
To ^reet each other, Rifte her estate \ 
Cbnadnns to beggary brought, grow desparate. 



thf trmplf, hulW it /air ti§ iftntri it,] At tbU 

Due ttiiiMU, Antui]iiiit» > request i», iiot incrvU Out Aitfiula 
ftbuulrl prparfvc F)orvithr4, but thil pKc sboulJ rxl^c hir i^r n 
fttfrtc of 6|ilLiulijiur c<]iMt to her w^%n* Jhv iit>»iinlkiy uf 
tn|»(H«Mni|( lh«it lit fthouM n\*kc ihh tff\\\r^i »•. « prkiccM, 
wliu hsu cooUvmucfl Ittm lo i^vitlh, hi r.ivuar of tipr riVMl, 
rosde me wpptt^e ilni thcrv mint In; Hri rrrur in ibh pmi* 

TiV , ■ ^ ' A -jngk" i<l<iitcc Ni vlittrr i>r ihc 

fkr .VI' fAvt4| <il| tiii» LiUiai : huihi 

it Mtto, 1001 » whtch Cunctvr ful- 

Imiiti i| ; 111 I IK Mittt r< II riiiiui# K* Ml >tic Ivlttf 

t ltuittj( luuyhimtf Jrmn um ] So iltv »lil cofiie* ; Ithtrli |a 
tnt mure cune^ t iImu tUv iiuKlvnt rc^dLus— ih; hatj/ktiiff 



I Yomr «0M and tti^t.l Me«*ilMc Mteriaqi, whom li^^tirv 
•ke h^iUtAlM « b4wi| — M, lit«M!v, 



Dnr, f^till on the bread of poverty let me foed. 

Ang. O ? my admired mistres'*, qtieiich not out 
The holy fires within yon, though t«mptatiofM 
Shower down \i\wn yxfU i clasp tbine annour <m. 
Fight well, and thou sbalt see, albr tbeao wan« 
Thy bead wear sunbeams, and tby lert loucii etaim, 
[tiama att but At^gtb. 

Eitur Hiftoitrs mid SrinsotiM^ 

Hir* How now, An^lo ; bow ia if, bow is i* * 
What tlinstkd apios tliat whore Fgrtiuo upon. La 
wheel now ? 

Spun. Cfirn* esLi, earn* fiffa, poor knave t 

llir. Ciimment pwi/tt*wM^ cwnmfnt |Nirte-ww in, 
mon petit eitr^ou ? 

Spun, Sly pretty wee comrnde, my half-inch of 
man's fleah,' how mo the dice of this ctieatinr woiid, 
bal 

Ans;* Too well on yonr sides , you are hid ia gold 
OW head and enrs. 

Hir. We thank our fates, the sign of the guigla- 
boya haniirs at tbe doors of our pockets. 

Spun, Who would think that we, coming fonlt 
of the a — , as it were, or fag-end of the ifvorld, sboold 
yet see the golden age, when so little &tver u 
stirring. 

Uir, Nay. who can say any citizen is an ass, for 
loading hi«own back with money tiQ hia soul cracks 
again, only to leave bis son like a gilded coicomb 
behind him? Will not any fool take me for a wist 
man now, seeing mo draw out of the pit of my ix«a> 
surv tliis little god with bin belly full of gold f 

^^pun. And this, full of the same meat, out of ajf 
ambry. 

Aug. That gold will melt to poison. 

Spun, Poison ! would it would ; wbol« pjoli flbr 
healths should down my iliroat, 

Hir, Gold, pobou ! there is never a she-ilirasber 
in Csaarea, that lives'!; on tbe Hail ofmooej, will oaU 
it so. 

An^, Like slaves you sold your souls for golden 
Bewraying her to death, who atiapt betw eeti [dros«. 
You and the gallows. 

Spun, It wns an easy matter to save us, ahe beiiif 
so well back'd. 

Hir, The gallows and we fell out ; so she did but 
part us, 

Ang, The misery of that mistress is mmib own } 
She lieggarVl, 1 left wretched* 

Ifir, i can but let my nose drop in sorrorw, with 
wet nyes for her. 

Spun, The petticoat of her estate is unlaaed, 1 
conlWss. 

Hir, Ves, and theVmock of her chanty is now aU 
to pieces, 

Ang, For love you bear to her, for some good lunu 
Dane you by me, give roe one piece of *ilv*r. 

Hir, Mow* a piece of silver I if thuu wrcrt an 
angel uf gold, I would not put thee into white moo**^ , 
unless I wei}2;hed thee ; and I weigh thee not a m- h 

Spun, A piece of silver! 1 never had but tnn 
cftlveai m my life, and those my mother loft me *, I 
will rather part from tli© fat of them, thaa Cram a 
niu-»twrd-(olten*s worth of argent. 

Ihr. And ko, *iwmit nil, we crawl from ihie. 

Spun. Adieu, denu-dandipnit, adieu ! 

j4#^. Stay,— one word yet j you tiow tre full of 
gold. 

Hir. I would be sorry my dog were so full of tha 



Or Mnj iow of nuiie of the meazfes eitlier. 
Go, go! you're beggars botli ; you art» not 
on TOOT feel. [frorUi 

Hir, Aw«y, away^ hoy I 

Spun* Pig»t you do 'oothiog bat tfit paicli«i on 
€bm •oiie>9 of yoor ieits. 

I am glad I tried your lor«, wbich, me ! I 
aa tMt is full, [ wont not. 

And ao long as this, so long at this. 
Spvngiiitt yon ara a pickpocket. 
' Spnm, HirciQs, tbou bast niin'd:— ^o long at! — 
•ot ao much money ia \ttt as will buy u lou^. 

Hir, TboQ art a thief, and thou liest in that gut 
diroagb which thy wina runs, if Uioo deaiest ir. 

5pM3t. Thou li«at de«per than the bottom of mine 
enraged pocket, if tbou afironteat it. 

^i»g. No blows, no bitter langnage ; — all your 
gold gofie i 

J^ Spun* Can the deril creep into one's breeches ? 
B /frr. Yea, if his borotonce get into the cod -piece. 
H^ifla^. Come, aigh not ; I ao tittle am in love 

r 



ATI yours . diride the hf^ap in ftquul almre. 
So vou will go ftloag witlj me to prison. 
And in our mistreats' sorrows bear a part* 
Sttv, will vou ? 

Kfth. Will we! 

Span, It she were going to hsn^og. no guflowa 
should part us. 

Hin Let us both be tum'd into a rope of oaiona, 
if we do not, 

Aftg, Follow me, then : repair your bad deeds past; 
Hanpy are men, when their best days are kst ! 

Sfmn, True, master Angelo ; pray^ sir, lead the 
way. 

liir. Let him Icfld that way, but 
this way. 

Spun, I IfTe in a gnol ! 

I fir. Away, and shift for ourselves: — She*U do 
well enough there; for prisoners are more hungry 
aflLer mutton, than catch poles after prisoners. 

Sptttu Ia?i Ijur stan-e iheo, if a whole gaol will 
not 6U her belly, lExeunL 



[Exit AhgitiK 
follow thou me 



ACT III. 



SCENE L—A lUam in DoRoraiAV ffaitie. 




Emitr Bh^msnc^ Tufjopuiuvt, FrmU Causta, and 
CiiRisTrrA. 
&m. Siek to tbe death, I fear*. 
Tittpk, I iDset TOUT aorrow, 
WiA BV trtta feilit^ of it. 

Stp, gbe'a a wiien, 
A sflTocresdi. Theophilus ; my son 
Is ehann*d by her enchanting eyes ; and, like 
Am ioMfe nuide of wax, her beams of beauty 
MiAt na to aothtng : aU my hopes in htm. 
Ami tD Ilk gottoEi honoors, find their gntre 
In bia «tf«nge dotage on her. Would, when first 
fie aair and loved her, that the earth had open'd 
r*d both aliire ! 
T&flipA. Tb«reV bop«< left ycL 

V „t ,*,*. . though the princess were api>eas«d» 
•re surrender 'd up ; 
nstian is so transported 
Ikei* Khgioa, that unless my son 
let fais* parish fir^t f ) drink tlje same potion, 
be of ber belief, shell not vouchsafii 
bia lawfnl wife. 
Priert. Bat, 0110a remored 
From ber opioioo, u I reat aasnred 
i\Thmwmnm» of tbeae bolr maids will win her» 
I^BB §ad km traeiibla'to any thing, 
^^^Hwr «oiiliaf or fata. 
^^^lipL If dbo i^lbaa it. 

The SCffilB dM^ iKPMUcig ttiJWitioas airs, 

Tka 



I, due basfliak'a killing eye, 
that does emah tlia baDee^ 

shall not tppctr 



It i# drlk^htfiiL aflcr 



r rfic ftlNtldri «o4 kAriAarM vT Utr preretlinK met, la f Jl 
s^danUi Ikm cfear sad kamioaliwt prrM« uf M^Min^ftr. 
«« b«ae* la Ac cwwclaitnn of the •econd fcvut, wbtrv 



erowdi^l vtllli 




Leas fatal to her, than my bmI made hot 
With lore unto my fjmb» 1 have deferred it. 
In hojMPs to draw b«ick thii> npostJitP, 
Which will be greater honour thuii tu^t ilcnth, 
Unto ber father s faith ; and, to thnt end, 
Hare brought my daughters hither. 

CaL And we ^oubt not 
To do what you desire. 

Sap, Ivet her be sent for. 
Prosper in your good work ] and were I not 
To attend tne princess, I would see and hear 
How you succeed. 

Theoph. I am commanded too, 
V\\ bear you company. 

Sop, (liire tliem your ring. 
To lead htT as in triumph, if they win her 
Before her highness. [ExiL 

Theaph. Spjupo no promises, 
Persuaitiona, or threats, I do conjnre you : 
If you prevail, 'tis rhe most glonoua work 
Vou ever undertook. 

Ent^ DonomxA and Awgc^ 

Pfi<a^ She comes. 

Thritph. We leave you ; 
Be constant, and be careftiL 

[Exeunt Theaph and PrUit, 

Cat, We are sorry 
To meet vou under guard. 

Dor, But I mofv grieved 
You are nt liberty. i?o well I lore you, 
That I could ntnftll), for iuch a cause as mine, 
You were my fellow -prisoners : Prithee, Angelo, 
Reach us some chairs, I'lease you sit 

CaL We titaak you : 
Our vi^it is for love, love to your safety, 

CkriiL Our conference muat be private, pray vou, 
Command your boy to Itsave ua. [therefore, 

Dor, You may iraH him 
Witii any secret that conceroa my life, 
Falaebcod and be are ainngera : bad you, ladies. 



16 



THE VIRGIN-MARTVTl. 



[Act UL 1 



Been hiess'd with such a senrsnt, you had never 

Fursook that way, your journey even half ended, 

That leads to joys eternal. In the phice 

Of loose lascivious mirth, he would have stirrM you 

To holy meditations ; and so far 

He is nrom flattery, that he would have told you. 

Your pride heing at the height, how miserahle 

And wretched things you were, that, for an hour 

Of pleasure here, have made a desperate sale 

Of all your right in happiness hereafter. 

He must not leave me ; without him I fall : 

In this life he's my servant, in the other 

A wish'd companion. 

Ang, Tis not in the devil. 
Nor all his wicked arts, to shake such goodness. 

Dor, But you were speaking, lady. 

CaL As a friend 
And lover of your safety, and I pray you 
So to receive it ; and, if you remember 
How near in love our parents were, that we. 
Even from the cradle, were brought up together, 
Our amity increasing with our years, 
We cannot stand suspected. 

Dor, To the purpose. 

Cat, We come, then, as good angels, Dorothea, 
To make you happy ; and the means so easy. 
That, be not you an enemy to yourself, 
Already you enjoy it. 

Christ, Look on us, 
Ruin*d as you are, once, and brought unto it 
By your persuasion. 

CaL But what followed, lady ? 
Leaving tliose blessings which our gods gave freely. 
And shower'd upon us with a prodigal hand. 
As to be noble bom, youth, beauty, wealth, 
And the free use of these without control. 
Check, curb, or stop, such is our law's indulgence ! 
All happiness forsook us ; bonds and fetters 
For amorous twines ; the rack and hangman's whips 
In place of choice delights ; our parents' curses 
Instead of blessings ; scorn, neglect, contempt. 
Fell thick upon us. 

Christ. This consider'd wisely, 
We made a fair retreat ; and reconciled 
To our forsaken gods, we live again 
In all prosperity. 

CaL By our example. 
Bequeathing misery to such as love it. 
Learn to be happy. The Christian yoke's too Iieavy 
For such a dainty neck ; it was framed ratlier 
To be the shrine of Venus, or a pillar 
More precious than crystal, to supiK)rt 
Our Cui>id's image : our religion, lady, 
Is but a varied pleasure ; yours a toil. 
Slaves would shrink under. [devils ? 

Dor. Have you not cloven feet? are you not 
Dare any say so much, or dare I hear it 
Without a virtuous or religious anger 1 
Now to put on a virgin modesty. 
Or maiden silence, when His ]K)wer is question'd 
That is omnipotent, were a greater crime 
llian in a bod cause to be impudent. 
Your gods ! your temples ! brothelhouses ratlier. 
Or wicked actions of the worst of men 
Pursued and practised. Your religious rites ! 
Oh t call them rather juggling mysteries. 
The baits and nets of hell : your souls the prey 
For which the devil angles ; your false pleasures 
A steep descent, by which you headlong fall 
Into eternal torments. 



CaL Do not tempt 
Our powerful gods. 

Dor. Which of your powerful godi 1 
Your gold, your silver, brass, or wooden onia, ' ' 
Tliat can nor do me hurt, nor protect you *1 
Most pitied women ! will you sacrifioa 
To such,— or call tliem gods or goddesses. 
Your parents would disdain to be the same. 
Or vou yourselves ? O blinded ignoranoe ! 
Tel[ me, Calista, by the truth, I charge you. 
Or any thing you hold more deer, would you. 
To have him aeified to posterity. 
Desire your father an adulterer, 
A ravislier, almost a parricide, 
A vile incestuous wretch 1 

CaL That, piety 
And duty answer for me. 

Dor. Or you, Christeta, 
To be hereafter register'd a goddess. 
Give your chaste body up to the embraces 
Of goatish lust \ have it writ on your forehead : 
" lliis is the common whore, the prostitute. 
The mbtress in the art of wantonness. 
Knows every trick and labyrinth of desirps 
That are immodest V* 

Christ, You judge better of me. 
Or my affection is ill placed on you ; 
Shall I turn strumpet ? 

Dor. No, I think you would not ; 
Yet Venus, whom you worship, was a whore , 
Hora, the foundress of the public stews. 
And has, for that, her sacrifice ; your greet god. 
Your Jupiter, a loose adulterer. 
Incestuous with his sister : read but those 
That have canonized them, youll find them worse 
llian, in chaste languf^^^e, 1 can speok them to you. 
Are they immortal then, that did partake 
Of human weakness, and had ample share 
In men's most base affections ; subject to 
Unchaste loves, anger, bondage, wounds, as men sre^ 
Here, Jupiter, to serve his lust, tum'd bull. 
The shape t, indeed, in which he stole Europe ; 
Neptune, for gain, builds up the walls of Troy, 
As a day-labourer ; Apollo keeps 
Admetus' sheep for bread ; the Lemnian smith 
Sweats at the forge for hire ; Prometheus here. 
With his still-^wing liver, feeds the vulture ; 
Saturn bound last in hell with adamant chains j 
And thousands more, on whom abused error 
Bestows a deity. Will you then, dear sisters. 
For I would have you such, pay your devotiooa 
To things of less power than yoursdvesl 

CaL We worship 
Their good deeds in their images. 

Dor. By whom fashion'd ? 
By sinful men. Ill tell you a short tale^* 
Nor can you but confess it is a true one : 



* That can nor <fo me hurt, nor protect you /] l!<;rc 
spirited, ami more iu tUc aiiUior's manner, ihjin the ivadiug 
of the last quarto, which the moilem cdiion follow : 

That cannot do me hurt, nor protect jfom f < 

t The shape, buleed, &c.] The old copies read. The aliip, 
indeed. Sec, Corrected by Coxcter. [OmiUcd In c<lj|. vi 
1813.} 

: rU tell you a short Ule, &c.] I oocc tho«cM ' 

I hud read this ahort tale in Amoblos, from whom, ■■< 
from Angustin, much of tlie preceding speech ia taken ; 
bat, npon loolcing him over again, I can acarccly find a 
tr.ice of it. Hvro<lotni has, indeed, a story of a king «f 
Egypt (Amasis), which bears a distant reaemblaafcc to K; 
bnt the application U altogether differrat >-lbere i« a f 



l| 



tlL] 



THE VIKOIN^MARTYR. 



If 



g dif Effypt, bf mg to enwi 
tEOi^ of UflijTH, wUom tbej honour, 
from the matrontt' ueckft Lbe ridia^ jffireLi , 
]fiifie^t jEfold, !.< the mutenslji, 
lish up hb i^-ork i wrhkh ptr&<?ted, 
til Kjlettmity he set it up ^ 
. adortidf and served himjsdrhk idol ; 
ing it to fiTfi him victory 
lat hm enemi«a : but, bem^ orflrthfowii, 
^ agaiiul hifl ^od (Uieoe are fine god^, 
ct to hiunan futy I ), b« too& down 
eHMlMB diing:, md lUftliiri^ it &^ld* 
ada abuoa, m wJikh i^unuctj^ wasb'd 
oncobine'i feat ; ind for thiis itoniid ua* 
iBonthft it served : ku mtfltress pr^via^ falie, 
o«t indeed do so^ and grace coiurluded 
f<en him and the priests, of the mme baaon 
uide his god agruo ■ — Thkik^ thitik of this 
tiien cotuideft if all worldly hoooiiiH^ 
ea«tire» th«£ do lears shurp scingg b<^hind them, 

pow^ to wiii Buch aj have reuofULbla •oula. 
It thetr trust in droM. 
L Oh, that I bad been bora 
out a father ! 
list. Piety to him 
nun'd ua fior ever. 
r. Think not ao ; 
may repair oil j^t : the attribate 
epeaka hia Godhe&d mtist, ia mercifiil : 
Dge ia pmper to iBe fit^nda you worahip, 
iannot Btrike irithout hm l«ire, — ^Vuu weep,— 
da a heareoly ahower celestial bsdm 
ire your wo*jn'^*»i!l c^ripi^f i*^rrc>' \H k fall, 
hiek ujion it ; and, when that ia apent, 
elp it with another of my teara : 
toMj yonr true rep^ntMice prove (Lb child 
y tme iorrow, nerer mother had 
th ao happy ! 

U We nxfi cAu^hi ouraelrea, 
caXD0 to mke you i and, aasored of conquest, 
re your captires. 
r. And in that you triumph : 

fietory had been eternal losa, 
this your loaa immortal guin. Fii liere, 
fOM. shall feel youn«hW inwafdly ;um'd 
i*t tortures, deaths mad bell : — but, take heed, 
lifters, [auaaiooa, 

or through wedkneM, ibreaca, or mild per- 
gfa of a lamer, you &U not into 
^nd and a worse apoataey, 
L ^rever, oh never I ateel'd by your example, 
Jine the womt of tyranny. 
rwf. Here's our wajrani, 
ihall aloKLf and witneaa it, 
r. Be eofifirm*d then ; 
rest aasuf«d, the more yon suffer here, 
nora your glcny, yon to heaTen more dear. 

lExeunL 

SCENE Il^—Thf GoTeraora Palaet. 

llfT Aft^rSMIA, SAFaimTB, TuEOPHlLttS, ««l 
flARFJkX. 

wm, Sapdtina, though ^ouraon deaervp.a n<>pily, 
lipve ma ticbseas : bta contempt of ua, 
ast behind og, and look back upon 
ETvicfi done to Cf «ar, that weighs down 

[ im wblcli be Mmi hli fociu w«ix accfl<itom«d lo tpit, 
4«crJ%vt, &c, which Ij fijTitjed int^a ^ . bpi TvbffWr 
traiibtd tlw po«t wiih uy bititt, J cutiuoi: nnilerlakv 



Our just dispJeaanre. If hitt malady 
Have i^wtb hom his restmint, or that you think 
Hls Kberty can cui« bim, tei him have it : 
Say, we forgive him freely* 

Sap^ Your gtac:« bUida ua 
Ever your humblest viuaois, 

Jrffm. Use all meana 
for his recovery ; tliougb yet I lore him, 
I will not force mf ectjon. If the Christian, 
VVbotie beauiy hath out-riTall'd me, be won 
To be of our belief, let him enjoy her ; 
That aU may know, when the cause willa, I can 
Command my ovirn deairea* 

Hit&ph* Be happy then, 
My tord Sapritiua I am confident 
Sttcb eloqueiice and sweet perssuaxion dwell 
Upon my dau^Iit^ri' tongues, that they will work 
To any thing they pteaae. [her 

Sap. I wish they may ; 
Yet 'tis no easy tiisk ta undertake, 
To alter a penrerse and obstinate woman, 

[A i/uwf within : loud mutie. 

Artem, What m^sns this about 1 

Sop. Tis seconded with musie. 
Triumphant music^ — ^Ma ! 

Enter SiitpnoKiiii. 

Semp. My lord, your daughters, 
The pdlara of our faith*, having coirerted, 
For ao report girtti out, the Christian lady, 
The image of great Jupiter bom b^ore tliem, 
Sue for aeeess. 

Th^L My soul divined aa much. 
1)1 eat be the tune wb«^n firat they aaw this li^Lt ! 
Their mother when she bore them to aupport 
My feebLe age, fiird not my longing heart 
With so mui:L joy, aa they in this good work 
Have thrown upon me. 

Enftr Priest with the Itnage of Jupiter, ineente and 
^vTurr<; foihtaed by Caluta and Chbisteta, 
Uttdmg DoncmiaA. | 

Wekome, oh, thrice welcome, i 

Daughters, both of my body and my mind ! 
L«t TOe embrace in you my bliss, mj comfort ; 
And, Dorothea, now more welcome too, 
Than if you never had fallen off I am ravish'd 
With the excess of joy : — spisuk, happy daughtera, 
The bleat event. 

CaL We never gatn'd 80 much 
By any undertaking. 

TheopL O my dear girl, 
Our gods reward tliee I 

Dflf. Nop w-as ever tkne 
On my part better spent, 

€hniu We are all now 
Of <>ne opinion, 

Thettpiu My best Christeta ! . 

MadaiUt if ever you did grace to worth, 
\''ouchsafe your princely hands. 

Arttm. MQ»t willingly * 

Do you refuse it ! 

Cat Let ufi first deserve it, [prepar* 

Theeph. BIy own child still f here «et our god ; 
Til a intense quickly : Cotjie, fair DorotbeBt 
1 will myself support you j—^-now kneel down 
And pay your vows to Jupiter, 

* 77t« pitian qfomrMih^ Ac 1 Mvn ai In many otter 
plft^rft. ihe lingTijire of Cbrii^tiantty and pKiiiohin it ron- 
foitadvQ ; fnifh^vk aIwrvi tbe t\liiinctivc term for tba 

e 



18 



THE vmOlN-MARTlTL 



lArrJII,] 



Ihr. I «hall do it 
Better by their exnmple. 

Thioph. *Vhev shall guide you, 
Thnj are fiuiiilmr with l\w sacrifice. 
Jonnmrd, my twiii<i of comfort, and, to tt'och her, 
Miike a joint ofTeriag* 

ChritL Tliua [thtif httth $pit at the image^ 

Cttt And thus throw U dtfim, and t|mn» ft* 

Harp, Profiuie, 
And impioQft ! itand you now like a statue 1 
Are you the champion of the g^oda ? where is 
Your hoi J aeol, your anger 1 

Thtoph. I am blaated ; 
And, aa my feet were rooted here, 1 find 
I hi^e no motion ; I would I bad no sight too ! 
Or if my ere* can nerre lo any use** 
Give me, thou injured Power! a aea of tears. 
To expiate this madneaa in my daughters ; 
For, being themuielTee, they would have trembled at 

So hhuiphemoui a deed in nny other : 

For my sake, bold awhile thy dreadful thunder, 
And give me padence to demand a reason 
For tJ»i» acoureed act- 

Dor, 'Twas bravely doile. [should look on you 

Thtoph. Peajce, damn'd enchnntresa, peace! — I 
With evea made red with fury, and my hand, 
That aMlces with rage, ahoutd mucn outstrip my 

tongue. 
And laal my vengeance on your hearta ;— 4)ut ntture, 
To Tou tb&t have fallen once, bids me again 
To he a ikther. Ob ! how durst you tempt 
Tho anger of great JoTe ? 

Dor. Alack, poor Jove ! 
He is no swaggerer ; how smiig he stands * 
Hell take a kick, or my thing, 

Sap^ Stop her mouth* 

Dor. It is the patient'st godling't; do not fear him; 
He would not hurt the ihief that stole away 
Two of bia golden locks ; indnKl he could not : 
And still 'tis the some quiet thing 

Tktop, Blasphemtr ! 
Ingenious cruelty shall punish this ; 
Tliou nrf past hope: but for you vett»deardangbt0r8, 
Agjiin bewitch 'd, the dew of mild forgiveneu 
May gt'ntly fall, |>rovided you deserve it 
With true contrition : be yoitrselvei igvin | 
Sue U} the o tended deity. 

ChriMU Not to be 
The mistTBaa of the earth. 

CaL I will not offer 
A grain of incense to it, much less kneel, 
Nor look on it hut with contemj.t and iicoru. 
To hdvtf n thousand years conferred upon me 
Of worldly blessings. IVe jirofesa ourselves 
To be, likt* Dorotlien, Christians, 
And owe her for thiit happiness. 

Thetip. My ears 
Receive, in hearing this, all deadly uljanns, 
Powerful to make man wretched. 



Ariem. Are these they 
You bragg*d could conve 



convert others f 



r.^.*^ *^?*' "^ *^ "^ '" *«'•' •"•*! The modcra 
'CoUorft read ; 

Qr \f mif ryrt n/m Mtrtv to anff other hjt. 
Othtr, wli.ih iU%\toy^ m oi»« ihe mi Ire ^ml ibc »€nie. k 
aa •jMixt Inter., .,L.i.., M ,r >h" r -irtoi 1031 a^d IflilJ. 

u,L I * .* *' i' * ' ' '»'>^« Iniertrd tl.ji 

WW.1 .( Ilic , Mr. M, M«on, The old 

eepifft concur I > ^ ,. ; ^/. ■ »!. will 

1. 1 ^ f^- -f'T '"^ V'^*^ * '*• "^^^""^ eomplewi the ver», 
ll aow n!*tor#d fniiu the Ural idillon. 



Sttp, That want strength 
To stand themselves ! 

Harp. Your honour is engaged. 
The credit of your cause depends opoo it i 
Something you must do sutldonly, 

Thfoph. And I will. 

ifarp. 1 hey merit death ; but, falling by yoitr I 
Twill be reconled for a juat revenge. 
And holy fury in you, 

Thetjpli, Do not blow 
Tlie furnace of u wratli thrice hot already; 
jfirnft is in my breast, wildfire bums here. 
Which only blood mu^t quench. Incensed Powvl | 
Which from my infancy 1 have adored. 
Look down n ith favourable beam^'i upon 
Tlie sacrifice, though not allow 'd thy priest. 
Which I will offer to tbee , and be plctaaed 
( My fiery seal inciting me to act) 
To caU that justice otbera may efrle mtttder. 
Come, you accurs'd, thus by the liair I dn^ yoa 
Before tliis holy altar ; thus look on yon, 
Less pitiful than tigers to their prey: 
And thu^ with mine own hsmd I take that life 
Which I gave to you. [^Kiib tk 

Dor, O most cruel butcher ! 

Thettph. My anger ends not here : liell'i drefedlhll 
Receive into thy ever-onen gntes, [| 

Their damned souls, and let the Foriee* whips 
On them aJone be unlisted ; and, when denth 
Cloaei these ey©s, 'twill be Elysium to me 
To hear their shrieks and howling^ Make me, Plold^l 
Thv in!4lrument to fumiAb thee with souLi 
Ot'^that accursed sect ; nor let me fall. 
Till my feU vengeance hath consumed tlhant tKL 

J Exit, HarpoM fmg^mg 1 
•- 

[Enttr Af^ih mtiimgi^ 

Dor, Oh, call him back agnin. 
Call bock your htmgmnn ! here's one priaoiier left 
To he the subject of his knife. 

Art Not so i 
We are not so near feeonoiled nnto the« ; 
Tliou sholt Dot perish such an eesy way. 
Be slit* your cburtre* S«pritiuSt now ; and vafhr 
None to come near ber, till we have found o«t 
Some tonnenta worthy of her, 

Ang, Coumge, miatreas. 
These martyrs but prepare your glorioua 1kt» ; 
You shall exceed them, and not imitate* [F 

SCENE III,— A Room m Dorouiea** H<i*w. 

Euter Sn Koiis and llincits, raggtd. at opptmitt 
HtK Snunipus ! [tatteirwl seorld* I 

Spun. ^Iy fine rogue, how is it I how goe* this 
//«r* Hast any money ? 
Spun. Money ! No, The tavern ivy cUnga abottt 

my money, nnJ kills it. Hsjtt thou any mon«yf F I 
llir. No. My money is a mad bull ; and liaidlBg 1 

any gap opened, away it runs. 

* Arlcm 'Ti* a Itrare Mtnl] The flrtt two q«srlo« %m%9 
i §(«)[« directluii here, which Co^tfler jUkd M- Matoii f«il 
U»w : iCater Artemia faughit^. Htil Ari<coii« cittitliinri vm 
lh« wlxgc : the error wat »«cd Rnd rrniovcd by ib«' «|H4n«* 
1051, which rrjtds a« I hivc (iven it. i 

t hriw gotM thiM InUered «wnU.'l The** uAko-m* \ 

wrelchei — hut they »rc tioi wottk ft line. Mr. Mflj^Mt^r t^h ' 
tervea thit tatferrtt i« itpeli with «d » in the old > ' 
Bhjikip»re: fhl* ki the tint opportuiilly I h>i 
inrulki'rthii;, thai M»Hii)E«f eouronni to ib« mhu 
Tilt UKXleru editum ooinctiin?* idopt one omxIv %»| "J.* m-t 
it, aad »onictLrae» ftno(hfr, u tf the wvrdi were dlVcfvotl J 
it U hvat tg he miitarm^ \ 



80KS III.] 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



19 



Spun, 1 Me then a tarem end a bawdy-honee hare 
&oea much alike ; the one hath red grates next the 
door, the other hath peeping- holes within- doors : 
the tavern hath erennore a bush, the bawdy-hoose 
sometiines neither hedge nor bosh. From a tarem 
man comes reeling ; nom a bawdy-house, not able 
to stand In the tarem you are cosen'd with paltry 
wine ; m a bawdy-houae, by a painted whore : money 
may hare wine, and a whore will hare money ; but 
to neither can jroa cry, Drawer, you roeue ! or. 
Keep' door, rotten bawd ! without a nlrer whistle : — 
We are justly plagued, therefore, tor running from 



Hir, Thou didst ; I did not : Yet I had run too, 
but that one gare me turpentine pills, and that staid 
my running. 

Span. ^^1 ! the thread of my life is drawn through 
the n ee d l e of necesai^, whose eye, looking upon my 
lousy br eec hes , cries out it cannot mend them ; which 
so pricks the linings of my bod^ ^and those are, 
hmt, lights, lungs, guts, iad midnff), that I beg 



on my knees, to hare Atropos, the tailor to the Des- 
Vb her sheers, and cut my thread in two, 



to take ber abeers, and cut my 
or to heat ^m iron goose of mortality, and so press 
me to death. 

Hir. Sure thy ftther was some botcher, and thy 
hunm- tongue bit off these shreds-of complaints, to 
patch up tM elbows of thr nittv eloquence. 

Spwu And what was thy faUier I 

if ir. A low-minded oobkr, a cobler whose zeal set 
many a woman upright ; the remembrance of whose 
awl (I now baring nouiing}tluusts such scurrystitches 
into my soul, thi^ the heel of my happiness is gone 
awry. 

Spun. Pity that e'er thou trod*8t thy shoe awry. 

Hir. Lon^ I cannot last ; for all sowterlr wax of 
eomfort meltmg away, and misery taking tne length 
of my foot, it boots not me to sue for life, when all 
my hopes are seam-rent, and go wet-shod. 

iS^pira. This shews thou art a cobler's son, by going 
through stitch : O Hircius, would thou and I were 
so happy to be coblers ! 

Hir. So would I ; (or both of us being weary of 
our lires, should then be sure of shoemakers' ends. 

Spun. I see the beginning of my end, for I am 
almost starred. 

Hir. So am not I ; but I am more than fimish'd. 

Sptm. AU the members in my body are in a re- 
bellion one against another. 

Hbr. So are mine ; and nothing but a cook, being 
a constable, can appease them, presenting to my nose 
instead of his painted staff, a spit full of roast meat. 

Spmu But in this rebellion, what uproars do they 
nmke ! my belly cries to my mouth. Why dost not 
gape and fiBedmel 

Hir. And my mouth sets out a throat to my hand, 
Why dost not thou lift up meat, and cram my chops 
with it? 

Sptm, Tbtuk my hand hath a fling at mine eyes 
because they look not out, and shark for rictuals. 

Hir. Whath mine eyes seeing, full of tears, cry 
akmd, and curse my feet, for not ambling up and 
down to fted colon, sidience if good meat be m any 
place, 'tis known my feet can smelL 

Spum» But then my feet, like lasy rogues, lie still, 
and had rather do nothing, than run to and fro to 
purchase any thing. 

Hir. Why, among so many millions of people, 
should thou and I only be miserable tatterdenalUons^ 
ragamufins, and lousy despeiatest 



Spun. Thou art a mere I-am-an-o^ I-am-an-as : 
consider the whole world, and 'tis as we are. 

Hir. Lousy, beggarly ! thou whoreson assa foetida? 

Sfnin, Worse ; ul tottering, all out of frame, thou 
fooliamini ! 

Hir. As how, arsenic? come, make the world 



Spun. Old honour goes on cratches, beggary rides 
caroched ; honest men make feasts, knares sit at , 
tables, cowards are lapp'd in relret, soldiers (as we) 
in rags ; beauty turns whore, whore, bawd, and both 
die of the pox : why then, when all the world 
stumbles, should thou and I walk upright 1 | 

Hm*. Stop, look! who's yonder? I 

Enter Anoelo. | 

^li. Fellow Angelo! how does my little men, [ 

Ang. Yes ; fweU f i 

And would you did so, too. Where are your clothes? 

Hir. Clothes ! You see erery woman almost go ' 
in her loose g^wn, and why should not we hare our 
clothes loose ? 

Spun. Would they were loose ! ' 

Arig. Why, where are they ? 

Spun. Where many a relret doak, I warrant, at 
this hour, keeps them company ; they are pawned 
to a broker. ! 

Ang. Why pawn'd I where's all the gold I left ^ 
with you ? 

Hir. The gold ! we put that into a scrirener's 
hands, and he hath coaened us. 

Spun. And therefore, I prithee, Angelo, if thou 
hast another purse, let it be confiscate, and brought 
to derastation. [way 

Ang. Are you made all of lies ? I know which 
Your guilt- wing'd pieces flew. I will no more 
Be mockt by you : be sorry for your riots. 
Tame your wild flesh br labour ; eat the bread 
Got with bard hands ; let sorrow be your whip. 
To draw drops of repentance from your heart : 
When I read this amendment in your eyes. 
You shall not want ; till then, my pity dies. [Exit. 

Spun. Is it not a shame, that this scurry puerilis 
should gire us lessons. 

Hir. I hare dwelt, thou know'st, a long time in 
the suburbs of conscience, and they are erer bawdy ; 
but now my heart shall take a nouse within the 
walls of honesty. 

Enttr Harpax IMnd. 

Spun. O you drawers of wine, draw me no more 
to the bar of beggary ; the sound of tcore, a pottle of 
each, is worse than tbe noise of a scolding oyster- 
wench, or two cats incorporating. 

Harp. This must not be— I do not like when 
conscience [tera ! 

Thaws ; keep her frosen still. How now, my mas- 
Dejected ? orooping? drown'd in tears? clothes 
tom ? [wmd 

Lean, and ill colour'd 1 sighing 1 where's the whirl- 
Which raises all these mischiefs ? I hare seen you 
Drawn better on't. O ! but a spirit told me 
You both would come to this, when in you thrast* 
Yourselres into the serrice of that huiy, [praying I 
Who shortly now must die. Where's now her 



• whm lo you thnut.\ In, which completes the 

rcne, fvu omitted by Mr. M. Mason, fh>m an opinion 
perhape, ttiat it was anperflaooft to the urn v. Bnt this ^mm 
the Ungoage of the times : fur the re^t, this whole act is 
most carelessiy printed by the list editors. 

c 4 



to 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



[Acs. HI. 



Wbait good got you by wmr'ms out your feet, 
To nm on scurvy errands to tuo poor. 
And to bear moiioy to a sort** of rogue 
And lousy prison era * 

Hir. Pox on tbetu t I aever prospered since I did 
it* 

Spun. Had I been a pagnn atill. I Bhould not 
l»ve «pit white for wiint of drink ; but eome to «ny 
vintner now. and bid bim trust m^.beeiiase I tiinu»d 
Cbriitian. and be cries, Pob 1 

Harp. You're rightly served ; before tbalpeerisbf 
lady 
Hod to do with rou, womc'n. wine and money 
Flow*d in abundance with you, did it not 1 

liir. Oh, Ihoae ^«yA t those days! 

Harp, Beat not your bteosta, tear not your hair 
in madneaa ; 
Tboae day a shall come again, be ruled by ine, 
And better, mark me, better. 

Spun. 1 have seen you, sir, aa I takeit,anattie3idaiit 
on tlii? lord Tbeojihilus. 

Httrp, Yes, yes ; in shew his servant ; hut bark» 
Take heed do body listens. [hither ! — 

Spnu. Not a mouse stirs. 

Htirjh I am s prince disg^uised. 

Hit. Diftji^isE^ ! how 1 drunk ? 

Harps Yes, my fine boy *. VU drink too, and be 
I am a prince, and any man by me^ [drunk ; 

Let bim but ke<>p my rule^, shall soon grow rich, 
Exoeedinf^rich, most infinitely rich : 
He that ahuHl serve me, is not starved from pleaaurea 
Aa other poor knaves are ; no, taki« their till. 

Spun, But that, sir, w©*re so rsp^ged^ 

Harp, Youll sny, you'd serve me T 

Hir* Before any master under the xodisc. 

Harp, For clothes no matter ; I've a mind to botb. 
And one thing I like in you ; now that you see 
The bonfire of your lady'^B state burnt out. 
You give it over, do you not 1 

Hir, Let her be hong'd ! 

Spun, And pox'd 1 

Httrp, Why, now you're mine; 
Come* let my bosom touch you. 

Spun. ^Ve have bu^s^ sir. 

Harp* There's money, fetch your clothes home ; 
there's for you. 



• And t» bear motirv 'o « '"rl tif mj/veM^Htc] Or, m we 
ftioald now tmj/'^to a Mt, or purcci qf nwuf*. The word 
Oeciirt $o firiHin^Dtly in thi* mum, in onr dd writ«r», ilut il 
sactnt «liaQ«l ttmicce*i«ry lo give «oy exftmpl«& of ii : 
*• Mere Are i «&ri of poor pctiliooLri, 
T1i>l are importanate." Spanith Tragedy, 

Apia: 

•• Ami, like a tort of trae bora ■cavcafef*, 
Scoor IDS ihia fainoiu realm n( eneinki*" 

A'nijfht qf (he Burning Pettle. 
(TUii word, witb tfimlltr.inctntaK lo thai here tntcmled, 
IVeqiieatly occors In JShaktpcarv, «■ " Bui ilivy can i«c a 
mtrt orTraiton here."— Rkhnr<l, II. 

AkhIh in Richard III. " a «4irf of vafabomii, rsicali,«ji(l 
mas way •."—Bo). 

t h^fant that pc«vUli hdp 

Mmi la d9 teith ifou,] Ptrvi»h ii /otttiah ; tlioi, Irt th» 
Marw Winat^f If tnriMr, Mri. Qmekly My»or hi>r rcUjwr- 
fcrv«nt, ** HU worn lnoll ii, ili»i he ti sivcu \m pmyer ; he 
I* sctrnetliiDg jWeHaA that way." Mr. Mulohc tliitiki ibU to 
br vev of itamc Qnkkly'ji bUtmlen. ar»il %h*\ »h« meant to 
My prwcim : br»t I ^iilicvc he U itiittiikcn. In Hjfvht 
Scarmr, tkc wuni h *ihi1 in ilic very wnta here felven ; 
* For Hti I thoJde do BtK-r yimr K^ic 
To l« Jirn lo |j»tvr to make me ^cvytm," 
Afain, tu GtrnV* Rirtienyt a^nimt Adnffrry : ** Mhcm^Tn 
krpi a mmh-UnA of »ome d^rtj )e«ry old In hi* Jimiimt, who 
Indeed w« ki naMrtlly |ww«i«A. «» wot Mllait, hiidly UHy, 
eould tn«1c|i \\\in for •biiplicil>." 



Hir, Avoid, vermin ! ^ve over our mistivei 
DUin cannot prospt^r worse, if he serve the devil. 

Harp, Flow ! the devil ! I'll tell joru what tio« «f{ 
the devil. 

He's no such borrid creature ; cloven-footed 
Block, saucer-eyed, bis nostrils bresthiiig in^ 
As these lying- ChrisdoDs mske bim, 

hoth. No I 

Harp, He's more loving 
To nuui, tbsn man to man is*. 

Hir, Is be soT Would we two might oonie 
icouftinted with himl 

Harp, You shall : he's n wondrous good fellow, 
loves n cup of wine, s whore, any thiAg ; if jou 
huve money, it's ten to one btit 1*11 being lurn M 
him. 
some tovem to you or other. 

^jptuu 111 bespeak the best room in the hoas« kn 

Harp* Some people he cannot endure* 

Hir, We'll give him no sueb o«iuie. 

Harp, He bates a civil liwyer, sb » soldier doe« 
pesce. 

Spun, How a oommoner t F 

Harp, Loves bim &om the teeth outwarcL 

Spun. Pray, my lord and prince, let ine encottoter 
yoa with one foolish question: does tbe devil eit 
any mace in his broth ? 

Harp, Exceeding much, when bis bomtng frver 
Uke» him ; and tlien he baa the knucklea of a batliff 
boiled to his breakfast. 

Hir, Tben, my lord, be loves a catcbpole, does be 
not? 

Harp, As a benrwartl doth a dog. A cstcbpokel 
he hath sworn, if ever he dies, to make « aeijeattt Urn 
heir, and a yeoman bis oversew. 

Spun, How if he come to aay grest man*B gale. 
will thf jHirtfr let him come in, sirt 

Harp. Oh ! be loves porters of great men** gates^ 
because tliey are ever so near the wicket, 

Hir. Do not they whom be nuikes mucb on, for 
nil his stroaking their cheeks, lead beUiab tivif 
uoder bim T 

Harp, No» no, no, no ; be will be damn'd before 
h^ liurTs any msn : do but yon (wdien you ore 
throughly ac4]umnted witb him) ask for any thing, 
sea if it does not come. 

SpfUH* Anything! 

ffarp, Cidl for a delicate rare wborei ^e is bnmgilit 
you. 

Hir, Oh ! my elbow itcbas. W ill tbe devil keep 
the door f 

Harp, Be dnmk as a beggar, he helps you bome« 

Spun, O my fmi* d«tvil! some watcnman, 1 war> 
rant ; I wonder who is his constable^ 

Harp, Will you sweor, roar, siraggcrl be cli|M 
you 

Hir. How T on tbe chaps T 

Harp, No, on the shoulHcr ; and cries, O, Wf 
brave boys! Will any of you kill a man ? 

Spun, Ves, yes; f, I. 

Hiirp, Whu't is bis word? Hang! bmg! \ia 
nothings — Or stab a woman ! I 

• Han** Hf*§ morv WtH^ 

To tNtfn, iham trnm to mam it.] Tttoai^h clilt u< 
tlliitiou of tbat floe •entimcnt in Jtiveiial, Can 
Aonta qwtm MM, may not be aUofeUirr out of r)> < 
ihe «pvak(r ; It were to be wiilied it hed Dot been emptoYi-!. 
Tti My the Imth, the «hok of thU urvoe, more eapt^TaUy 
whit yet rf main* oi H, h «• ro^lUh ii« U it proftiKMe. | 

f Span. How a eooioiOBer?] Thjit u a cobuooii lewjftr* | 



d 



SCENB I.] 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYH. 



ft 



ifrr. Yes, yea; 1,1. 

Harp. Here is the worst word he g^res you : A 
pox on't, go on ! 

Hir. O ioTeigling msokl ! — I am rayish'd. 

Harp, Go, get your clothes ; torn up your glass 
of youth. 
And let the sands run merrily ; nor do I care 
From what a lavish hand your money flies. 
So you give none away to heggan^— 

Hir. Hang them ! 

Harp. And to the scruhbing poor. 

Hir. Ill see them hang'd Mt. 

Harp, One serrioe you must do ma 

Bath. Any thing. 

Harp. Your mistress, Dorothea, ere she suffers^ 
Is to he put to tortures : hare you hearts 



To tear her into shrieks, to fetch her soul 
Up in the pangs of death, yet not to die ? 

Hir. Suppose this she, and that I had no hands, 
here's my teeth. 

Spun. Suppose this she, and that I had no teeth, 
here's my naus. 

Hir. But will not you be there, sir? [master 

Harp. No, not for hills of diamonds; the grand 
Who schools her in the Christian discipline, 
Abhors my company : should I be there, [quarrel 
You*d think dl hell broke loose, we should so 
Ply you this business ; he, her flesh who spares. 
Is lost, and in my lore nerer more shares. [Exit. 

Spun. Here's a master, you rogue ! 

Hhr, Sure he cannot choose but have a horrible 
number of servants. [Exeunt. 



ACT IV 



SCENE le^The GoTemor's Paiaee. 

AtrroHimjs sick, with Doetort about him ; 
SAPRrnus ami Macbinub. 

Sap. O joa, that are half gods, lengthen that life 
Their deities lend us ; turn o'er all the rolumes 
Of jour mysterious ^sculapian science, 
T* mcrease the number of this young man's dajB ; 
And, for each minute of his time prolong'd, 
Your fee shall be a piece of Roman gold 
With Cassar's stamp, such as he sends his captains 
When in the wars they earn well : do but sare him. 
And, as he's half myself, be you sll mine. [hand 

DceL What art can do, we promise ; physio's 
As q)t is to destroy as to preserre. 
If hnren make not the med'cine : all this while, 
Our skill hadi combat held with his disease ; 
But 'tis so ann'd, and a deep melancholy. 
To be such in part with death*, we are in fear 
The grave must mock our labours. 

Mac I hare been 
His keeper in this sickness, with such eyes 
As I hare seen my mother watch o'er me ; 
And, firom that obserration, sure I And 
It b ■ midwife must delirer him. 

Sap, Is be with child 1 a midwife f ! 

Mae. Yes, with chfld ; 
And will, I fear, lose life, if by a woman 
He is not brought to bed. Stand by his pillow 
Some little whue, and in his broken slumners, 
Him shall yoa hear ciy out on Dorothea ; 
And, when his arms fly open to catch her. 



Clodng together, he fells fest asleep. 
Pleased with embraoings of her any fonn. 
Phyaiciami but torment htm, his disease 
Laughs at their gibberish kncuags ; let him hear 
The Toiee of DOTOtbea, nay, but the name, 
He starta up with high colour in his feoe : 



I • Taht amdk impart wUh dmth,] Mr. M. Muon reada, 
after (^oseter. To omeh impart with death, and explaiiu it 
to mtam - To nch a defrec." I doabt whether he ooder- 
Mood Ua own explaiiatloB or not. The genaioe reading, 
which I have restored, takei away all difficvlly frotn the 

f SapL Is hs wUh child r a nddiw\fe /) The modem 
I cditota read, A mddm\fs! is hs wUh chUdf Had they no 
ears I 



She, or none, cures him; and how that can be. 
The princess' strict commsnd, barring that happiness, 
To me impossible seems. 

Sap. To me it shsll not ; 
111 be no subject to the greatest Cesar 
Was erer crown'd with Uurel, rather than cease 
To be a father. lExit. 

Mac. Silence, sir, he wakes. 

AtUon. Thoukill'st me, Dorothea; oh, Dorothea! 

Mae. She's here : — enjoy her. 

Anton. Where? Why do you mock me ? 
Age on my head hath stuck no white hairs yet. 
Yet I am an old man, a fond doating fool 
Upon a woman. I, to buv her beau^, 
rtn truth I am bewitch'd,) offer my me, 
And she, for my acquaintance, hazards hers ; 
Yet, for our equal sufferings none holds out 
A hand of pity. 

DocU Let faiim hare some music 

Anton. Hell on your fiddling! 

DocU Take again your bed, sir ; 
Sleep is a sovereign physic. 

Anton. Take an ass's head, sir : 
Confusion on your fooleries, your charms ! — 
Thou stinking clyster-pipe, where's the god of rest, 
Thy pills and base apothecary drugs 
Threaten'd to bring unto me f Out, you impostors ! 
Quacksalving, cheating mountebanks ! your skill 
Is to make sound men sick, and sick men kill. 

Mac. Oh, be yourself, dear friend. 

Anton. Myself, Macrinus ! 
How can I be mjrself when I am mangled 
Into a thousand pieces ? here moves my head, 
But where's my neart? wherever — ^that lies dead. 

Re-enter Sapbitxus, dragging in Dorothea by the 
hair, Anoelo attending. 

Sap. Follow me, thou damn'd sorceress ! call up 
thy spirits. 
And, if they can, now let them from my hard 
Untwine these witching hairs. 

Anton. I am that spirit : 
Or, if I be not, were you not my fether, 
One made of iron should hew that band in pieces. 
That so de&ces this sweet monument 
Of my love's beauty. 

Sap. Art thou sick ? 



Atthm^ To ileath. 

Sap. Would'it thou recorer ! 

AnUtfi. VVouldl I lire iu bliss t 

Sttp. And do tJiino eyt's eboot dagger* at tliat mtta 
Tfant bnngs tbe€ health ? 

Antm, It is not ta the world. 

Sap, It's h«re. 

Anttm* To treasure*, br emchantrnent lock*d 
In cBvps &"} de«p DLS b«lU am 1 as oear. 

Sap, Brpok thut enchanted care ; enter^ and rifl© 
TFiB apoils thy lust hunts after ^ I descend 
To a b«lt^B office, and Ixwrotne iliy pander . 
In bringing Uiee this proud thing : make her thy 

whor©» 
Thy bemltlj lies here -, if she deny to give it, 
Forc6 it: imagine thou aj^aanlt'st a toirn*s 
Weak wall ; to't 'tis tliine own, but beat this down. 
Come^ and, unaeen, be witness to tliis battery 
How the coy struiupftt yields t. 

Doct, Shall the boy stay« sir 7 

Sap No matter for the boy : — ^pagei are used 
To these odd bauwdy shufflings ; and. indeed, ore 
Hiose little young snakes in a fury's heod^ 
WiM stin^ worse than the great ones. 
Let the pimp stay. [Esmnt Sap, Mac* and Doct, 

Dear. O, ^nard'me, angels * 
What tragedy must begin now T 

Anium, When a tiger 
I^ops into a timorous lierd, with ravenons jaws, 
Beiitg hunger-slarved, whot tragedy tijen l>egius ? 

Dijr. Dpaib : I am happy so ; you> hitherto, 
Havo siill hud goodness spli«rtHl wuhin your eyes, 
Let not that orb be broken |. 

Ang. Fear not, mistress ; 
If he dare offer violence, we two 
Are strong enough for such a sickly man. 

Dw, What is yonr horrid ptsrpost*, air ? your eye 
Bears danger in It. 

Anton, I must 

Dor, What! 

Sap, Iwiihiiu] 8peak it out. 

itnleii. Climb thiit sweet virgin tree. 

Sorp* [icitkin.] Plague o' your trees. 

Anton. And pluck iliai fruit which none, I think, 
e'tar tanted. 
Sap. [uithin.] A Motdier, and stund fumbling so* 

Dor, Oh, kill me, [ktieeti. 

And heaven will tak«i it as a sacrifice; 
But, if you ploy the ravisher^ there ta 
A bell to swallow you. 

Sap, [tritA/n.] Let her swallow the© } 

AnUtiu Riae : — for the Roman empire, Dorotliea, 
I would not wound thine honour. Plettsures forced 
Are unripe apples ; nour, not worUi the plucking : 
Yet, let me tell you, *da my fnther'a will. 
That I should s«iz« upon you, u my prey ; 

• Ant, T0 trwimre, 4c,] Till- U ih« f m^rHlailoo of Mr. 

M. Misob, It «p|iear« « lMp[.y «ub«liluliuii for the uM 

resdlni;, nblch ww, O trtoMn*, a(t% 

M'oMw, oHd.unium, fm tritm-v* to thin bati^rp 
N0W th^ my Mtrump€t i/ittd*.] Theft twu lia« 

dreiMHl lo M«rriuiiK and ihv ducuvi. M. MaixDO. 

1 *«*, htthgrto. 

Haw wttUhadgMMimrtx «j«T'd wUkin your *»j^#, 

litt not that trrb be krftlwm.l The wt»rtl orb lu tldi kit 

tii«? pftivw ih4i »c thonl.) re«l Mpkend tauMMt ^ tpar'd : 

. ' ' ' '* wn*wlu» nsh Id M» AuMTiion ; woarrvd, 



^ad- 



Which I abhor, as mnch as the blaekpst sin 
T1]e rillainy of man did ever act* 

^SapriUw Irtmki m «r<tfc MmctwM^ I 
Ahg. Die happy for this language. 
Hap^ Die a slave 
A bloclcii-h idiot ! 

Mac. Dear sir, tux him not, fgddilifs: 

Sap, VeSt and rex thee too ; both, I thtnik, are ' 
Cold, phlegmatic bastard, tbou*rt no brat of mine; 
One sperk of me^ when I hod he«t like tliine, 
hy thi9 had made a bonRre: a tempting whore. 
For whom tlmu*rt mud, tlini.st e^en into thine anna. 
And stond'at thou puling! had a taOor aeeo b«r 
At tljis jidvuntage. ne, with his erosa capers 
Kod rufQed her by this; but thou shalt cone 
Thy duHiance*. and here, before her ejree. 
Tear thv own flesh in pieces, when a slare 
In hot lust batiieH htm»elf, and gluts those pleesxirei 
Thy niceness durst not touch. Call out a slare; 
You, captain of oar guard, fetch a slave hither. 
Anton. What will you do, denr sir? \Umm ^ 

Slip, Teach her a trade, which many a one would I 
In less than hidf on hour, — to play the whore. 

Enitf A Slavs. 

Mae. A slave is come; what now? 

Sap^ Thou hast hones and flesh 
Enouph to ply thy labour: from what country 
Wert tljoii ta'en prisoner, here to be our alave; 

Si/it'*, ffnxm Hritain. 

Sap. In the west ocean! 

Slave, Yes, 

Sap, An island ? 

Slaiv, Yea, 

Sap. I'm fitted: of all nations 
Our Roman swords e'er conquered, QOfM ooaetDMr 
'ITiB Briton for true whoring. Sirrah fellow. 
What wouJdst thou do to gain thy liberty? 

Siam. Do! liberty ! iieht naked wth a lum, 
\''eiiture to pluck a standard from the beeit 
Of an jirm'd legion. Liberty! lid thus 
Bestride a ranipire, and defiance epit 
r llie face of death, then, when the battering-Taai 
Was fetching his career backward, to paab 
Me with his bums in pieces. To shake my cliaifiaof , 
And that I could not do*t but by thy deathy 
Stnod'st thou on tliis dry shore, I on a rock 
Ten pyramids high, down w^ould I leap to kill tbet. 
Or die myself: what is for man to do 
I'll venture on, to be no more a slave. [llief 

Sap, Tliou sbalt. then, be no slave, for I will asl 
I'pon a piece of work is lit for man, 
Bmve for n Bnton ; — drag that thing aatde. 
And ravish her, 

Sluiv, And ravish her ! is this your manly s«fTMe ! 
A devil aconis to do it ; 'tis for n beast, 
A villain, not si man: 1 am at yet. 
But half a sbvej but when that work is past, 
A dojwnad whole one, a bhick ugly «Uve, 
Tlie alnve of all base slaves:— do*t tUvaelf. tt^«.««- 
*Tis drudgery fi^for thee, * 

Sap, He'» bewitch 'd too: 
Bind him. and with b bastinado give lum 
Upon his naked belly, two hundred blows* 

Slave* Thou art more slave tliiin l. 



*' fntt thfm ahitit cunt 

7AyilalU*ucfs] L c. ihy l»e»ilMiOB, thy drUy • 

Ow.l Juoj ! yo« iw Llik 4amtmtm lo Wuiio 
Yuar bftmch of prwnW." V^fm^^Brwwt, 



ScdibIL] 



THE VIROIN MARTYR. 



fS 



IXir. That pow«r mipOTiial, on whom wmtM my 
Is captain o'er mj chasdty.- [•oui* 

Amiom. Good sir, gire o'er : 
The more joa wrcmff her, joaraeirs rez'd, the more. 

Sap, Plagues light on her and thee ! — dins down 
I throw 
Thr hariot, tfaos hy the hair nail her to earth. 
CaU in ten alaves/let ererj one diaoorer 
What Inst desires, and snmtt here his filL ' 
Call in ten slaTss. 

Mat*, They are come sir, at yoor ealL 

&ip. Oh,oh! [Fotti 

TinJtir Tbiopbilus. 

Theofik. Whare is the goyemorl 

^Mfon. There's my wretched &ther. 

Thmpk. Mj lofd Sapritins— 4ie't not dead!- 
Tbat wHch there [lord' 

AmUm. Tis no Roman gods oan strike 
Tbma& fiBarfnl terrora. O, thon happy maid, 
Fomra this wicked purpose of my Either. 

Ar. I do. 

Tkaaph, Gone, gone ; he's peppered. It is thon 
Umat done' this act infernal. 

]l>ar. Uearen pardon you I 
And if my wrongs from thence puU yenge an ce down, 
/I can no mirage work) jret, from my aoul, 
Prmy to those powers I serre, he msj recorer. 

neoph. He stirs— help, raise him up, — my lord ! 

Sap. Where am It 

Theaph. One cheek is hkated. 

Sap, BhMted! whore's the lamia t 
Xfaat tears n^ entrails? I'mhewitch'd; seiieonher. 

J}ar. I'm nere; do what you please. 

Tftstfpfc. Spurn her to the bar. [we are. 

Dor, Come, boy, being there, more near to hearen 

Sapm Kick harder; go out witch! lExewnL 

Anton, O bloody hangmen f Thine own gods gire 
thee breath! 
Each of thy tortures in my seyeral death. lExit 



SCENE IL— ii PuhUa Sfuan. 
Eater HAAPAXr HiacnTs, and Spwoius. 

Harp, Doyoulikemy seryieenowlsay, amnoti 
A master worth attendance T 

Spnn, Attendance! I had rather lick dean the 
■olea <»f yoor dirty boots, than wear the richest suit 
of any infected lora, whose rotten life hangs between 
tbe twopolee, 

Hir, A lord's suit! I would not gire up the doak 
of joor service, to meet the spliyfbot estate of any 
left-eyed knight abore the antipodes; because they 
■re nnlucW to meet. 

Harp, Ijus dsf 111 try your loyes to me ; 'tisonly 
But well to use the sgihty of your arms 

Spun, Or legs, I am lusty st them. 

Hir, Or any other member that has no legs. 

Spmi, Thonlt run into some hole. 

Hhr, If I meet one that's more than my match, 

end that I cannot stand in their hands, I must and 

will creep on my knees. [me, 

I Harp, Hear me, my little team of yiUians, hear 

I cannot teach yon fencing with these cudgels, 

, fte.1 The old copiet give this 
lidwcTer, to palpftbl« u error, that 
have in6wtaced 



* Mac. Thagan emm, 
■ p cc c h to Asttlo : It te, lio^ 
tbc eacadedoa which I 

^%E!aim,Ua. 



Yet you must use them ; lay them on but soundly ; 
That's aU. 



Hir, Nay, if we codm to mauling once, pah ! 

Span, But what walnut-tree is it we must beat ? 

Harp, Your mistress. 

Hir, How! my mistress) I begin to hare a 
Christian's heart made of sweet butter, I melt ; I 
cannot strike a woman. 

Spun, Nor I, unless she scratch ; bum my mis- 
trees ! 

Harp, You're coxcombs, silly snimals. 

Hir, What's that t [thrust 

Harp, Drones, ssses, blinded moles, that dare not 
Your arms out to catch fortune ; say, you fidl off. 
It must be done. You are conrerted rascals. 
And, that once sproad abroad, why every alave 
Will kick you, call you motley Christians, 
And half-4ced Chnsdsns. 

Spun, The guts of my oo n science begin to be of 
whitleather. 

Hir, I doubt me, I shsll haye no sweet butter in 
me. [meet. 

Harp, Deny this, and each pagan* idiom you 
Shall forked nngera thrust into your eye»» 

tiir. If we be cuckolds. [to^ 

Harp, Do this, and every god the Gentiles bow 
Shall add a fiithom to your Ime otjmn. 

Spun, A hundred &thom, I desire no more. 

Hir, I desire but one inch longer. 

Harp, The senaton will, as you pass alone. 
Clap you upon jorxr shoulden with this hand. 
And with ttiis give you gold : when you are dead, 
Happy that man sludl be, can set a nail. 
The paring, — nay, the dht under the n^, 
Of any of you both, to say, this dirt 
fielong'd to Spuoffius or Uircius. 

Spun, They shul not want dirt under my nails, I 
will keep them long of purpose, for now my lingers 
itch to be at her. 

Hir, The first thing I do, 111 take her oyer the 
lips. 

Spun, And I the hips,^-we may strike any wherel 

Harp, Yes, any where. 

Hir, Then I know where 111 hit her. 

Harp, Prosper, and be mine own; stand by, I 
must not 
To see this done, great business calls me hence : 
He's made can make her curse his violence. [£rit 

Spun, Fear it not, sir ; her ribs shall be basted. 

Hir, 111 come upon her with rounce, robble-hob- 
ble, and thwick-thwack thiriery bouncing. 

Enter Dorothia, kd priaoner; Sapiutius, Theophi- 
LU8, Anoelo, and a Hangtnan, who tett up a Pillar ; 
SAPRrnus and Theophilus iit; Anoslo tUtud* by 
Dorothia. A Guard attending. 

Sap, According to our Roman customs, bind that 
Christian to a pillar. 

Theoph, Infernal Furies, 
Could they into my hand thrust all their whips 
To tear thy flesh, thy soul, 'tis not a torture 
Fit to the vengeance I should heap on thee. 
For wrongs done me ; me ! for flagitious iikcts. 
By thee £me to our gods : yet, so it stand 
To great Cesarea's governor's high pleasure, 
Bow but thy knee to Jupiter, and offiar 

• and etch jm^km.] So the flrtt two qnartoe, the 

lait readt Mwry .• which, as It man the vene, to followed by 
ra ediion. [ Omitted in Edit. 18lt.]— £d. 



Any slig-ht nicrfAee» or do but swear 
By Cicsar'si fortune, und be free. 

Sap. Thou sbnlt. 

Dor. Nut for all Ccskt'b fortune, wfra it chiiin*d 
To more worlds tbau are kin^omfi iu the world. 
And all tlios« world § drevi,*n nfter him. I defy 
\'o«f hBn^^Tlen ; you now show me wbillier to fly. 

Sap, Are her tormentors ready I 

i4n^. Shrink not, denr mistrsu* 

.Spun aftd Hir* My lord, we are reody for the 
business, 

Ditr. You two ! whom I like fostered children fed, 
And lengthen 'd out your aturred life with hread : 
You be my hangmen ! whom, when up the ladder 
Z>eath haled you lo he stnmgled, I fetdi'd down, 
Clothed you, and wann'd you, you two my tormen- 

Both, Yes, we, [tore ! 

Dtfr. Divine Powera pardon you* I 

Sap, Strike. 

[TAey ttrike ai Iwr. Anoelo kneeling kelda kerfast^ 

Thtdph, Bent out her liniina. 

Dar, Receive me. you bright angels ! 

Sap, Faster, aliivea. 

Spun. Fuster I I flm out of breath, I am sure ; if 1 
were to beat a buck ft I can alrike no harder. 

If It. O mine arma ! I cannot lift them to my he«d. 

Dfvr, Joy above joya ! are my tormentora weary 
In tor tump me, and, in ray suflerings, 
I fain tin )^ in do limb ! tyrants, strike borne, 
And feast your fury fulU 

Thtophm These dogs are curs, 

[Comes from hti seat. 
Which snarl, yet bite not. 8ee, my lord, her face 
Has more bewitching beauty than before : 
Proud whoro, it amtlefl 1 1 cannot an eye a^irt out 
With these! 

Hir, No, sir, nor the bridge of her nose hU ; *tia 
full of iron work, [feit 

Sop. Let*s view the cudgels, are th«y not counter- 
Jng, There fix thine eye ali)l;-^tby glorious 
crown rou«it come 
Not from soft pleasure, but by martyrtlom. 
There fix thiiie fye atill ; — wlu'n wi* neit do meet, 
Not thorn a, but roaes* ahull bear up thy feet : 
There fix thin© ey« still, [£jrit. 

Enter Hah pax tntakitig. 
Dor* Ever, ever, over 1 

TkM/ph^ We're mock'd ; theae b*t» have power to 
foil down gianta, 
Yet her skin ia not scarred. 
Sttp. What ro^es are theae ? 
Thmph. Cannot theae force a aliriek T 

[Bmt9 SptingiuM, 
Spun, Oh! a woman haa one of my riba, and now 
five more are broken. 

Thttfph^ Cannot tbia make iter nmr f 

[Hisiti Hrrcim ; ht roaru 
Sap. Who hired theae ahivea I what are they ? 



Dor. Divinr Pmirrt pardmt \xm] I know ftot wbctber 
hvtniidvertaiici'cir tlpairi} ; biil M. M««(Mt, In (ippotitiuii Hj 
ill thr eiliiioni, rvmtU, IJiriiw Potofr^ parivmtnel 

f // / ttvrrr to beat a tMick. / oxn ttrik* m» Aumifr.] To 
^tri- I. .»...--. -.J*, ♦♦ i$ to winh clnthr*.** ThU ti tut « 
J"' n of iUc temi ; lo j^woA h tn w#«!> cl*^l34<<> b> 

*") * »inooth itonr, and iK'niing tJneni wiib a 

iKJik i.niivi.'u ,ii the eivU 

1 frmid tfihoTf, it mntli^ f] So fhc «*fJ rooJw ; ilw modern 
•mioirareM), «hr mftilt$. In «vcrj p«gv, iu4 utmost iit rvrrj- 
■pvadi, I Mvf hMj lu rvimnn: tkcav liu^aary lra|in>v«in«ate 
ortkc lailior'tplitaicolAgy. ' 



Spvn. We aerve that noble gentlanran* 
emticetl us to this dry beating : oh ! for a 

Harp, Mj serrasta ! two bato ro^ea, ami I 
timeserranta 
To her, and for that cause forbear to burt her. 

Sap* Unbind hpr, hang up iheae. 

Theoph, Hang tlie two hounds on tb^nezt In 

//tr. Hang us! master Harpax, wbat a detikl 
shall we be thus used ? [a wol 

Harp. What bandogs but you two would Wi 
Your mistress ? I but clapt yxju, you fiew on* 
Say I should get your livee, each rascal beggar 
Would, when he met you, cry out Hdl-hotrndi! I 

traitors ! 
Sjiit at you, fling dirt at you; and no woman 
Ever endure your sight : 'tis your best couraa 
Now, hnd you secret knives, to stab yoursalras; 
But, since you have not, go and be lumg'd. 

Hir* I thank you. 

/ftirp. Tia your best course. 

Thetff^ Why atay they trifling here ? 
To fh' gallows drag tliem by the heels ; — awmy* 

Smm, By the heels I no, air, we hav^e lega to do I 
us that service. 

//<>. Ay, ay, if no woman can endure my «fk, I 
away with me. 

ihrp, DiKptttch them. 

Spuih 111*? dpvil dispatch thee 1 

[Eifuni Guard iritk Spunj^Ht and HfrfiaL j 

Sap. Death this day rides in triumph, Tbeopluliic 
See thia witch mode away toa 

Thfoph, My Houl thirsts for it. 
Comt*, 1 mvself tin* hangman^s part could play* 

Dor, O fm:<}tt* me to my conouatioa day { 

SCENE lilt*— T^ P(^c« ef ^^cutimu A ttmghU, 
blitckt j^c. 

Enter Aktokikvb, liAOLomB, and BntWDtm 

Anton, la this tho place where virtue ia tomiflir» 
And heflvenlv beauty leaving tliia base e«rtb, 
To make a glad return from whence it came 7 
Is it, Macrinus? 

Mac, IJy this preparation, 
You well may rest assured that Dorothea 
Thia hour ia to die hi«re. 

AnUm, Then widi her dies 
Tim (ibi»tract of all sweetness that*s in womim ! 
Set me down, friend, that» ere the iron hand 
Of death close up mioe eyes^ they may at ooee 
Take my last leave both of this bgbt and her: 
For, Mhe being gone, the glorious aun himaelf 
To me's Cimmerian darkness. 

Mac, Strange a€eGtion| ! 

* Spun. n« Nrrv« thai nohlt ffmttmmm, «tc] J^U l*«t 
lectjofl of the firsii qnartu. The ruwlrrti etUtuni foUow iIm 
otht'Ts, whkti incf»rrt.ctJy read, W c atrv'd, &c* 

f Prufn lieticL-, ttt \hv ronrla«i*Mi ot ihe 4Ct, T rrcOfpdM 
Ibe liABd of M«i#lni!er. Tli?rv mny br (■ad pmlNiM; snel 
fiaer psissgei lo our dramftUc poet», but I am uot ac<|aalHled 
mi Lb them. 

t Mac. Strange affiictitm T 

Vupid once more hath changtd hheh*iffM trilA. IhnotKt 

And kilt*, iiulhnd ^sfivtnjf lift.] Tliio in « m.^ b»nCl- 
fal Allu»ioD to a liltie po«'m nmonK Ihr ICie^/ira <af Jir^attdma. 
Ciiplrl fliir) Di-nlb unUtf in llu ctrrtrm-rioD uf « luver, nniX in 
riKlciiYtmriiii; to recover lltt-lr wmpcitt* fmrtt Ibe boi1)p tsi( 
Ihr vi dim, commit a mutual inil«lJiki'tt'Jkch plockinf Aut the 
** «fmn*" *'t ihc oihcr. Tli« coaBequi-acci of thi» trc prtii 
IlI>' dc*cjr|bvr| : 

Miuia p«regrln«f tparsiinter VII Inert nrrvb, 
ht inatias igootu ticvii utricititic maU>* 



ur.j 



THE VIRGIN -MARTYR, 



i1 



iloIU. 



i 



i bfttli «h&agficl UU ihftfU vritli Death, 

id of g:iviiig hh* 
jlfiCHk N>jr, wtwp not ; 
Tlioia^ tpon of frieiiiU1ii|i \m ■ toyemgn balm. 
On m» ibtj'w cut twvjr. It U decrpcNT 
Tliat I mist ill* with li«r i our clue of life 

Mmc. Ywt, air, *ti« ray wonder, 
TMt voii, who, hearing only whnt tthe suffers, 
Psrtu« of tU her toiturra, yet will be. 
To tM to four cmlamitj, on eyewita<;s9 
Of b«r bst tTSfk seoaiT, wbidi must juerce deeper*, 
Aftd »ik« th* wound mor* doapente. 

Amtam* Ob« Macnnui! 
T would tinier out my tfirmeotA eUo, not kill me, 
WLich u the end I uim at : being to die too, 
Wbml instniment more ^loriotu eon I wish for, 
Tban wfast »• mtdrn sbvp bj my constant love 
Aod era* ■fl^Ktion ? It mar be, the duty 
And loyal service, with which I {tur«i]ed her, 
And iH«]'d it with my death, will be remember'd 
Amumi^ ber bleseed mctioaa j and what honour 
Can I deatn btfjood it ! 

EiUrr a Gward, brimgmg in DoxomttLA, a ffmdtman 
htfare ker ; foUowtd fry TB£OFHtLVS» SAPmrriuA, 

Bee* aba oomes ; 
How vwaat bcEr innooaiee ■ppearsl mora like 
To hcftvcii ttnlf* than any Ncrifioe 
Hbm OB be ofer'd to it. By my hopea 
Of joys beraiAer, the aigbt makes me doubtful 
In BJ belief; nor can I think our godn 
Aro Mod, or to be aenred, that Uke delight 
l« mbrip^ of this kind ; that, to maintntn 
TWr power* dtlaoe tba master-piece of nntare, 
Wbieb IImj themaelrea come abort of. She ascendSj 
And evctr etep imiaea ber nearer heav^en. 
Wbet goQ aoe er tlwu art, that must enjoy her, 
IWoeire ta bar a boundlesa happiDess ! 

Sap, You are to blame 
To tctc him come abrtnd. 

Mac, It was his will; 
And w« wefN left to aerre him, not command him. 

Amian, Good sir, be not oJKsnded ; nor deny 
Mr laaC of jpleaaurea in this happy object, 
Tbet I ahtU aVr be blost with, 

TktBfL Kow, proud contemner 
Of M» nd of our gods, tremble to think 
It ii O0t fai the Power tbou serr'st to tare thee. 
Kot att iha rielue of the aea, moreased 
llr rinhit thlpwrfeka. Tif>r tbf« tiasearcb'd mines 
/MMnMMi*i anknowf ^\ (dioll redeem tb^. 

Aoit^ tlwrafore» harir ' horror weigh 'd 

WImI *tia 10 die, ami v-; u> part with 

An fJ— arw and drl s, togo 

Wltfn an anttpc^ye^ ^ dwells 

Furitv bwbtod, about thoe, and balbfe tbee^ 
A»cl. to ifld trt sfPltriimi, the remembnuiee 



1-1 d«miui, 
I 'se maud* ; 



a- 



Hie Aibl^ 
)'<^n Mgitui, 
iite]t|iie ouviun. 

ktM w i^rnn '.'I T y...,. ^.. McirarvU In irr iitfi ; 

Kz mo m^*€r^n lul dinlil iJlr Heel, Lib, tt. Etcf. «. 

«*Jli4M MMtfl plirrer ilri'per.lj Su tbr 6ii»l c<litiout. 

fflMfto l<Mll, ir««il<, la d«a«a««or intire.— wtLkJi mMl 
ii»y^ pitrfv, aad It fbllowcil by CoMrlrr awl M. 



Of the Elysian jova thou mighl*it have tasted, 
I fadst thou not tuni'd apoatnta* to tlioie goda 
That io reward th«ir ^erirants ; let despair 
Prerent the hangman's sword and on this scaffold 
Make ihy first entrance into hell. 

Ant(m. She fmiles 
IFnmoved, by Mars! sa if she were asaored 
Death, loobng on her constancy, would forget 
The use of his inevitable hand. 

Th*oph* Derided too f disputcb, I say. 

Dor, Thou fool ! 
That gloriest in hadng power to rariafa 
A trifle from me I am weary of: 
HTiBt is this life to me^ not worth a thought} 
Or, if it be esteem'd, *ti» that I lose it 
To win a belter : eri*n thy maltoe aerrea 
To me but as a ladder to mount up 
To such a height of happiness, where I shall 
Look down with scorn on thee, and on the world ; 
Where, circled with true pleasures, pbused aboro 
Th© reach of deatb or time, 'twill be my ^ory 
To think at what an easy price I bought »t. 
There*! a perpetual spring, perpetual youth . 
No joiQt-benumbing cold, or scorching heat, 
Famine, nor age, haref any being there. 
Forget, for shame, your lempo; bury in 
Obhrion your feign'd Hesperian orcfmrda:-— > 
The golden fmit, kept by ll»e watchful dragon, 
WTiich did require a Hercules to Ejeti it, 
Carapared with what grows in all plenty ther?. 
Desen-es not to be named, TIjg Power 1 serve, 
Laughs at your happy Araby, or the 
Klyiiiiin ahades, for he linth made his bowers 
Better in th^etl, llitin you can fancy yours. 

Anian, U, take me thither with you S 

Dcrr, Trace my steps. 
And he assured you shall. 

Sap, With my own bands 
lUl mtber stop that little breeCb is left cbee. 
And rob thy killing ferer. 

Theaph, By no means i 
Let him go with ber : do, seduced young mnn 
And wait upon thy saint in death ; do, do : 
And, when you come to that imagined place. 
That place of all delights — ^pray you, obserre me, 
And meet those curbed things 1 once called Daugbtoi^ 
Whom I have sent as harbingen before you ; 

* Madtt them mat turn'd apoMats t» ik^am ffoda.] Oar old 
wriiprt nsnally mM, apaafaM, tfAftta, Ac. whvrv wc now 
uy, ape^tttit, atatfit, Htaia^er't ciWUtrt, howevf r, «vIki 
wt.'r« igDonuit alike of bb IrnDKiixgc aod tibat of hU crjatcrn- 
porartc«, reaolufrJy p«niit In madtmitiag him tiptta all oc- 
caaiuoi: tliey md, avoafdle / 

f luTc amg M>9ff tkart,] Here af ain, the mutlrnt 

editors follow thv mbcnblc qaarlo of IQOI, twi taineiy 
read-lu*lBf «» *elii» |A<T*.— lW»ni"wJ litecJiL 1813.] 

: tVhieh did rv^lrw a Ilrrcttlet to fei it.\ The inudern 
cdltiirv nrad, f<» g«ard it. Thi« {IvvijUiixi from ihc 'jJdcopiea 
U at Ih^^ txjwnw; of »etHM?. It was ihe ■Irae'Lvn wbikh jrvmM 
It: lite obji'ct of Hemile» wai t& i/nt it. hi alinoit every 
•pcptb MtfKBknevr ii Ihua injared by carcksMiis* <*r ieiao- 
r4ncc. Ir i» tht more liti<]icn»ablc bcr«, *• Ibc very •nme 
cxiirtfiilMM I* *•» b« founA \u ths Emperor (^fffw Etut, 

Thi« btTAMilful d«*criptia«i t4 ElyBianip a« Mr, Gilchrift 
ul>*crve» Iti mv, lias been imitatrd by Nabbct, In Uiat very 
pH'tic Hii,i|wocl/, MicrwroratM: taam uf lh« lunri may be 
j^ivrn ■'. 

** CoW there roinpela da um of ra^%^ ftart, 
Nor m4k<-« iKr niMiBtslns 1»an«B ; tbatv'aao doa 
To ra«r, and Moivh ilM Und. Sprlsf '• alwiyi there, 
And paiDit the ralkyA : whilat a towpcnrc %\w 
Sweept Ibilr vnibfxiklvr'd faca wtlli blf caH'd |a^ 
And bccatbe* p^rfmnn :— ibcrc wti^i dota iMveT tpttaA 
H«r eboo *la?» : bot day II Rht'v always '*i«rc. 
Jtiid eae liU*l •caaoa cronrtu tb« clrrnal )rvr/' 



f6 



THE VraOIN^ARTVR- 



[AfT U\\ 



I r there be any traih in your religttm, 
111 thiuikfulness to me, that with caro hasten 
Your journey thithor, pray you send me some 
Smnll pitlamce of that cunouA fruit you boast of. 

AnUfn. Gnuit that I may ^o with her, and I will. 

S<ip. Wilt thou in tliy last mioute doom thy self? 

Theopk. Th^ ^lea to hell are open. 

Dor, Know^ tiiou tyrant, 
Tht>u ngent for the devil, tliy great master. 
Though ihou art moat unworthy to taate of it, 
I eon, md wilL 

Enter Anoelo, in tht AngePM habit. '^ 

Uarp, Oh ! mountains f»ll upon ine» 
Or hide me in the bottom of the doepp 
Where light may never find niel 

Tkmph. \\Tiat's Uie matter? 

Sap, This ia prodipious» and confimu her witcli- 

Thetjph. Harpftx, my IJAr|jax,8peak! [craft. 

Uarp. I dare not slay ; 
Should I but bear her once more, X were lost 
^ome whirlwind snatch me from tliia curaed place, 
To which compared (and with what 1 now Buffer), 
Ilell'a torments are aweet slumbers! \Exti, 

Sap. FoHow him, 

Throph. lie h diatmcted, and I muAt not lose him. 
Thy charms upon my aervant, cursed witch, 
tiive tJiee a abort reprieve. Let h^r not die 
Till my return, [Eieunt Sap, and TheapL 

AnUm* Sb« minds him not: what object 
fa her eye fiz'd on ? 

Mac. I aee nothing. 

AntoH. Markber. 

Dor, ThoQ glorious minister of the Power I lerve 

iFor thou art more than mortal), ia*t for me, 
'oor Biooer, thou art pleaseti awhile to lenvo 
Tby heavenly habitation, and vouchitafiBilj 
Though glorified, to take my aeriraut's LjJ>it! — - 
For, put off thy diTinity, po looked 
My lovely Ang-elo. 

Ang. Know, I am the same ; 
And atill tlie servant to your piety* 
Vour zealous prayers, and pious deeds first won me 
(6ut 'tvtaa hy His command to whom you »ent 
To guide your steps. I tried your charity, [them. 
When in a beggar a ahane you took me up, 
And clothed my naked limbs, and afkfi fed, 
As you believed, my famiiihM mouth. Learu all, 
Hy v<)ur example, to look on the poor 
With gentle eyes! for in such hebits, often. 
Angels desire an alms t* I never lelt you. 
Nor will I now ; for I am seut to cwrry 
Vour pure and innonr'ent soul to joys eternal, 
Your raftrtvrdom once sufier'd ; and belbre it, 
Aak any thing from me, and rest asaured, 
Vo4i ali&U obtain it. 



• EMi^ Xtiauijo in the AtujeVt hnbll, arc] II Appcan ilmi 
4Be^to ^up ti«t mtnul lo Im; *Hp<;n or htsnt tij^ any *if flic 
(H'Mjil^^ nn-sf'iit, but U^irotlie^, In the Inveumry ui ilw L<»nl 
Atlmtiitr* pni|Nirtl<», jivtri by Mr MalMni J«i^ *' a rw.bc fur 
lo cue in\ uHxU." tt wai |)rub^bly uf n \\%h\ %aMty lca.lur«!, 
iiKl AfliHTflcrl j« Hiiflicirni bmt lu utir e<*cid n«urcU afu»iton, 
not lo ice ib« chftfuclcr liivu»lct1 with il. 

f I„enm nit* 

Bit MP*^ eJFamtfte In look tm the poor 

WUh gmtfe tfVft / for in auch kabit*. q/tm, 

AnytU d^T* an a/MM.] '* Re not rnrgrrfal to rnti'rtafn 

ftraocer*; for ihrrrby »c*iii4^ have rntcrlainco nni^fls nn- 

awvfS." Hcb. c. \lli. r. % Hcrv \% »!»> ji i>t<itti(kriil aJlaikon 

10 Ilw piirt}ii{ apcccb of Ittc " mciabli.* archaogel ** lo Tuttit 



I D^. I am UiKgely paid 
For alt my torments i since I find sucb ^t«ci% 
Grant that the love of tbis young man to mr, 
In which he langnisbeth Co death, may be 
Chan^e<l to the love of heaven. 

A fig, I will p#«rform it ; 
And in tbiit inntant whrn the swnrtl seta free 
Your happy soul, hiA shall have Ubertf. 
ts there aught else ! 

[kir. For proof that I forgive 
My persecutor, who in scorn desired 
To taste of that most sacred fruit I go U» ; 
Afbr my death, as seut from me, be pJeasad 
To give him of it. 

Ang, Willingly, dfliar mistiesi* 

Mac. I nm amaaed. 

AnUtn, I feel a holy fire, 
That yields a comfortable heat within me; 
] am ouite alter'd from the thing I was, 
8ee ! 1 can stand, and go alone; tlius kneel 
To , heavenly Dorothea, touch her hand 
With a religious kiss. [ITaMilii^. 

Rg-enttr SApamf a and TiiEOPStLua* 

Sap, He ta well now, 
But will not be drawn baclc 

Theflph. It matters not, 
Wv can discharge this work witboat bis help. 
But see your sou. 

Snp, \ illain ! 

Anton, Sir, I beaeecb you. 
Being so near our ends, diroroe us not, 

Thfopk, Vl\ quickly make a separation of then : 
Host thou atigbt else to say ? 

Dor. Nothing, but to blanie 
Tby tardine^ in n^ndine me to reet ; 
My peace is made with heaven, to which my anal 
iWgma to take her flight : strike, O ! strike qutnUy , 
And, though yuu are unmoved to see my deutb. 
Hereafter, when my story shall he read, 
As thpy were present now, the hearers shall 
B&y this of Dorothea, with wet eyes. 
She lived a vij^in, and a virgin (lies. 

[Her heiui §trufk 9f* 

Anton, O, take my soul nlong, to wait on tbine \ 

Mac, Your son sinks too {^ATiLmiwu tmk^ 

Sap, Already dead I 

Tkfoph, Die all 
nint are, or favour tbia accuraed • sect : 
1 trinrnjih in their ende. and will raise up 
A hill of ilieir dead carcasses, to o erlook 
The PyTenean billg, bwt 111 root out 
These au{>er<ititious fools, and leeve the world 
No name of Chriatiaa. 

[Loud music: Exit Angela, hmmig fint Utid hit 
hand upon die motuht*^' Anton, mtd Dvr, 

Sap, Ha! heavenly music ! 

Maf, 'Tia in the air. 

Thtifpk, Illusions of the devil. 
Wrought by some witch of her religion, 
Thni fam would make her death a miracle: 
It frights not mu. Because he is your soo^ 
Let him have bunal, but let ber body 
Be cast forth with eanlempt in some highway. 
And be to vultures and to dogs a prey. lEgtumU 

* 7*hut tire, m- fmnmr this accurwd met :} So tli« old 
copici: ilie ntcMirm cdlton, to lutapr the text lo fheir own 
U\e»» of wccumcytrtna: 7%jt art M, or favour, Ac. h*i 
then? |« (h. nf Ft* uf attrratiitn ; iht« im-wle tti e^pret«u>D rrean 
prrpetiially ; add loo, iliat (Jiv inlvfuoUlton destroya Iks 
metre, ' ^ 



I J 



THE llRGIN-MARTVIt 



f? 



ACT V. 



I 



i 



i 



I SCENE 1, — TstOPBiLv^ di$eoiifrediHhiiStudif: booki 
o&mit Aim. 

Tlioyk r«t bolid^, O Csiar. thiit ihy senruil, 
Thf pTOfiMt, to 9t% «x«eution dona 
On MM liM Clmaliuit in Cssorea, 
Sbovld DOW want work ? Sleep these idolaters, 
Thai ocoe tre stirriiig? — A* 9. cimoii« painter, 
When he has nMde some honourable piece, 
StaocLa off, sod wish a aearching^ eye examines 
Each colour bow 'tis sweetenM : and then hu^ 
Hxmaelf for bis nire worlrtntinHihip — so hen 
Will I Dj drollenes, and Moody limd^capea. 
Lav p>st wrapt up, unfold, to make me naenj 
Wioi ahadowi, now I w jint the subetanoes. 
My SBBJier-book of hetl-hounds. Were the Christians, 
Wboi* names stand beie, alire and arm'd, not Rome 
Coold more upon Ler hinges. What IVe done. 
Or ahdl heraner^ is not out of hate 
To ooor tonMDt«d wretches *; no, I'm carried 
With riolaiioe of aeal, and streams of serrice 
I owa our Romaii ^ods. Great llritain, — whatt ? 

[reads. 
A thmtmnd inm, vith brvtt tuckiftg their breaits, 
Had hat iram pinch th^n off, and thrtntfi to ticitu : 
And Aok thtirjUahif back-parti^ htw'd with hutchrU, 
Wtn mimctd, and baked in pies, to feed ttarved 

ChriHmttM, 
Haf-.b>f 

AgaiA, again, — East Angeles,— oh. East Angles : 
Bmmdlagti^ kepi lAnv tLtvi huttf^y^ worried 
A ihaummd BritiA rusaiit, ttied up fat 
€ffmrpem, 9tnpf€d maktd^ and ditarm'd, 
I coold oatatsTB a jtur of bqqb and moons, 
To ait at theaa sweet bull-baitings, so I 
Cooid therebj bat one Christian win to Mt 
la adontktt to my Japitcr. — Tutlpe hnndrrd 
J&pn kmwi with ^tugra 0Nt-^h! etrt^n tlwuMtnd 
7«n» hjf wtU toasts: two kmtdrml ramm'tl in the ettrlh 
To L^dmipiCa, andfuil ptattert round abmtt them^ 
But far tfmtgk for rmehingx : Eat, doga, ha ! ha ! 
ha I [H* rites, 

Tttsh. an these tortarea are but fillipingSt 
fflaa httJB ga i I, before the Destinies 

Catrr Ajigilo mlh a haiUtfUtd vith fruit and 
fhiL<er§, 
My ^wttcm did wind up, would flesh myself 
Cma autre npon some one remarkable 

• i9 mot omi ^f hate 

' vntfrAci, ice. \ Tkit ix nld lo di«iiociil*li 






tnma iluf ofSKpriHaf , iib<M« eeal i* lodacncMl 
kj wmtawtm of inirrtst, wad by miny other coatkdentUHn, 
waieh sppeur lo wcLieIi notliiti| wllh Tlitr^iiHlla.i. 

* Great MwHaimf—ttk^ f] Great Briulii, it s curion* 
tmmekevmimn hmth^ QW old dniLinaUc wrilerf were Hlllc 
lollrliMW IB sv«iM. Tbe reader wanu not my usUtaoirc to 
dlwaivT«r tkat thl« rvfgrd nmnitkc \* by Decker : Ituf borrible 
itKm ur r«rt», !■ laJtitD frtim iht hitturlei of Hwi* 



Jiify in 

thai 
xi^t a%r i <h(u Ftctcbcr : 



; Bmi/kf mem g h tw r<iofhim0 ] For ocmn pcrpetttn 
tkm» fisyt* la (Iw •mie id frr^oenHomt jrct the niodern 



lye*^' 




- /or Uklof coUl." 



" Wit ast f«n mt, 



HaidintheMilL 



Above all these* This Christian slut was well, 

A pretty one \ but let nucb horror follow 

The next I feed with torments, that when Rome 

Shall hear it, her foundation at the sound 

May feel an earthquake, ifow now f [>U(i»Mr. 

Ang, Are you amazed, sir? 
So jin'ett a Roman spirit — and dotli it tremble* ! 

Theoph, How cam'st tbo\j to ? to whom thy busi- 
nessp 

Ang* To you r 
1 had a mistress, late sent hence by yon 
ll^pon a bloody ermnd ; yoo entreated, 
Tnut, when she came into that blessed grarden 
WhtCher aha knew sb« went, and wher*!, now hiippy, 
She feeds upon all joy, she would at^ad to you 
Some of that garden mut and flowers ; which here^ 
To buv-e her promise sarediare brought by me« 

Theoph, Cannot 1 see this garden \ 

Ang. Yes, if the master 
Will i^re you entrance? [Hs mnithth* 

Theiyph. 'Tis a tempting frtiit. 
And the most bright-cheeked child I ever view*d ; 
Sweet smelUng, goodly frnit, What flowers £ire 

these \ 
In Dioctesion's gardens ; the most beauteous, 
Compared with tbese, nre weeds: is it not February. 
The BHcond day she died ? frost, ice, and snow, 
Ilfing on the beard of winter : where's the sTin 
Til Lit gihls thi» summer? pretty, sweet boy, say, 
In what country shall a man Bml this gnrden ! — 
My delicate boy* — gone \ Farii!»bed ! witliin there, 
Jtuianus ! Geta!-^ 

Enter Jvliants and Geta. 

Both, My lord. 

Theoph, Are my gates shut '. 

Geta. And gu^ed. 

Theoph^ Saw you not 
Ahoy? 

JuL Where? 

Theoph, Here he entered j a younjf bd ', 
A thousand blessings danced upon liis eyes, 
A smoothfaced, glorious thing, that brought tlijs 
basket*. 

Gi^a. No, sir ! 

Thetfph, Away — but be in reach, if my voice calla 
you. [Ejeunt, 

No ! — vanished, and not seen ! — Be thou a spirit 
Sent from that witch to mock me, I am sure 
This is essential, and, bow e'er it grows, 
Will taste it. [EatM. 

Harp, [within*^ Ha, ha, ha, ha ! 

Theof^, So good ! 1 '11 hare soma more, sure* 

Now I jmon the »utaji^ct,l«t me ubwrve, that » ■Ifnllaral' 
n.-'raUon h4i been anneceMarily made In i^eridoa, Tbe oM 
rcadinf^ \s, 

" And witli de«d cbeekn uh tie thet lo detlit. 
For g«4ii« oti dcAih'n tict, wbich iKMie rwtot." 
" Tills is corrupt/' uya ibe editor, " I ihlnk it tIbOQkl be 
frmtt goii)^," aod fa he hu printed U ; pUce a comma ■Iter 
dt'gitl, 4ml all wiU be rigbt: ** for fotJil," I. t,/brfear of 
^MiniE, Ac. 

• Theciph. ffrre he entered : See.] Il may give the re>ft«r 
tome IdeJi of the metrical vkill wlih wbicb Mawlttf^pr bas 
beea hiihc-rt» treated, to priot tbcte liaea ai they stand io 
Coxetrr aiid M* Mji»uf} ; 

T1ir<ipU. /M-# he entrt^dt a yomng tad ; a thoutand 

Blc9»\n^» donv'4 upon hioo^oo ; • tmooth/uC*4 gtoriouo 

Thi»^, thai brtrnffht tkia I * ' 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



[ActT] 



Ilnrp. Hh. h%, tin, l»ii ! gft*at lii|UomJi fool. 

Tlmfpk, Whul on thou ! 

flnrp, A fishtfniifln. 

Ttu^pk^ What d(>:il thou cateh 1 

/iaf7>. Souls, souls ) a fi^ili c«UM soola. 

TWph. Getot 

£fitor GcTA. 

Ceta. My lord. 

/ftfrp. [u>it/tin.] Ha, ha, ha, lift ! 

Theaph, What inaoleiit slave is tbiA, daree laugh 
Or what i*'t th* dog ^oa at so I [iit iup ? 

Geta, I neither know, my lord, at what, nor whom ? 
for there U none without, but my iVUow Juhoauaj 
and he is making a garland for Jupiter. 

Thefph, Jupiter ! all within me is not well ; 
And yet not bicIl. 

ffiiTp. Ha, hn, ha, ha t 

Theapk. What 'ft tlij name» ftlarel 

Harp, [at one etuL] Go look. 

(ifta, 'lis Harpax* voice. 

Thrtiph. Harpax ! go, drag tlie caitiff to my foot, 
That 1 may Htamp upon him. 

Harp, [ut the oOter end.] Fool, ihon lieat 1 

Getft. lie's yondpr, now, my lord. 

Tbeii]fh. Wntch iJiou that end, 
Whilst I make good this. 

Harp, lift tlie mitldte.] Ha^ hn, ha, ha, ha ! 

Thtifph. He ia at barley-break, and the last couple 
Are now in hfU.^ [isblo4Kly, 

8earcb for him, [ Kiit Geta.^ All thia ground, raetbinkei, 
And paired with tliouaanda of those Christiaiis* ey«8 
Whom I havB tortured, and they stare upon me. 
What was this apparition ? sure it had 



• Theaph. He i§ at barley break, ^nnd the toMt titvpttt 
Are mnp in belL] L e. In Itic middte ; allnidlu^ tu the 
•l(o«tloii of Harp^x. Thia wrtrehed c^if^y ur a \«rttilivtl 
«dKin«li tlie hie et ubiqne of the Olioft in Hamlet^ is niucli 
Mm uncrile for the ocra'lon, tnd the chtrncltir t^dttt'ipit cjr- 
tfrnplAr viliiM itnitabile. Wlib rc«p«ct tw ihv ■muMoieDt of 
b«rtcy-l>rehV. Albtsiuaj to it occur ri'peatcxlty in nur t,*lcl 
writer*^ and Ibeir commcntatori huve piled one paraLlcl 
pMMge tipoa Another, wilbout advancing * tingle ttrp 
lowarrts exfilitlinlng wlidf tbb CflebradMl (ittitiiiie rt-Mlly naa 
It vtn% pljiyed by six people (Ihrec of eidi neit), wlit* wet* 
couptt'd by lot. A piece of ground wa:» then cbo^^n, /lud 
dividrd into Ihrco compftrftnent», of wliic^ the middle onv 
w«i called Hell It w«» ifae object of the coaple condeiaaed 
to fbif<livijiioi), localch the otheri, who ndvaticed from ibe 
two eslrviiutit'it ; in which ca»e m chinge of litnailcNn took 

Elaoe, Slid hcU wa» Dllcd by the couple mho wire enclnded 
y preoccapatknij from the other places: in thi« '* cafciiing," 
however, tbere wai tome diffically, ai, by the re|ridB(ic»i>a of 
die game, the middle couple were not to H-pnrale before 
they had incceeded. while the othcm ttdghi bre»k han«1t 
whenever thcj funnd thcmtelvca hard presfed. Wlirn JiH 
Jiatt been taken in turn, the laa.t couple waj aald to A« in 
heti, and the fame ended^ Iml^Hui UthorJ^-Mt. If, Miaoa 
kM* given the following deaeription of Ihif putlBic with 
aUe|;orical pertonaKe*, Irojn Sir John SuckUiis: 

** Love, UcaMu, llqte, liM once beapcak 

Three tnjitc* to jil«y at barleybn^ak ; 

Lovft Kol!y took ; and Rik^giMm Fancy ; 

And HaLe'ci>a«>rtii wilh Pride ; todiQce tbejr : 

L4>ve couplfd last, and au It fell 

That l-t*e and FoUy were In hell. 

Tlicy break ; mad Love would Rcaion m«!et. 
But Hate wa» <dniblrr on hef feet; 
Fancy ItHik* for Pride» and thilher 
Hie», aiui they two hug together: 
Yit tbij ttew cnnptiae fttitl doth tell 
That Love aiid FtjUy «ere in Uell. 

The r«ti do bt\*ak attain, and Pride 
Hath aow Kot UeaH^m on her tide ; 
Hate and ¥»ncy meet, and »tam1i 
t^ttbimdi'd fay Love Ui V*A\y'i. hand ; 
Pollv wai dnit, but Love ran well, 
So Lwe and FoUy were In bvlL" 



A shape imgeltcal. Mine ey»a, thoug-h dankd. 
And daunted at first sight, tell me, it wore 
A pair of glorious wmga ; yei, ibey were fnag^ 
And hence he flew : ^^ 'tis Tanish'd I Jupiter, 
For all my aacrifices done to him« 
N<»ver once gave me amtle. — Hem can Bloiie talfe, 
Or wooden inm^ laugh t [miuieS\ Ha ! I rMoettbcr | 
Such music gave a welcome to mine e«ir, 
When the fiur voutli catne to me ; — *ua in tlie air, 
Or from some better place* ; a power dirine. 
Through my dark ^aoruice on my aoul does shii 
And makea me see a oonacienoe all atain'd o'er, 
Nay, drowned and damn'd for erer in CluietiBn gofib, | 
Harp, [^within J] Ha, ha, ha I [toi^aa | 

Theaph. Again ! — Whnt dniotr relish od vy [ 
Thia fruit bath lefl ! §ome angel bath me fed i 
If ao toothfidlt I will be baniiueted* [£>^«l 

Enttr liAnPAX m o fmrful lAope , Jirtjtaahmg tmtifl 
tht Siudif, 

Harp. Hold! 

Theuph. Not for Ciesar, 

Htfifi, Hiif for m? thou shalt* [bwi. 

Thfoph. Thou art no twin to hxm tbaC laat wat 
Ye pQwersi, whom my soul bida me reTerenee, 
Whnt tirt thou 1 [S^ard oeJ 

Hitrp. I am tliy master. 

Thetiftk. Miue ! 

Hfirp. Andtlioomv everloaiing slare ; that Harpaci 
Wbo Land in hand Wh led tbee to tiiy hell, 
AmL 

Thenph* AvQunt? 

/f«i7j. I will not ; cast thou down 
That basket mtb the things in't. and fetch up 
What thou liital swallowed, and then take a drink, 
Which 1 shall ^ve thee, and Vm g^ooe. 

Thei^ph. My fruit] 
Does this o^end thee 1 aee I [£ati i^^aai. 

ilurp. Spit it to tlie earth|, 
And tread upon it, or 111 pieeemeal tear tbee. 

Theoph. Art thou witli thia affrighted I see, bpf«*i 
more. [Putts mir a handful of H^mtn. 

Harp. Fling them away. 111 take tbee elae, and 
bang t]u>e 
In a eontoried uhain of isiclei 
In the frigid z,one : down with them I 

Theoph, At the bottom 
One thing I found not yet. See ! 

[HoldM up a fUMf ofjtem'^rt. 

HarfK Oh ! I am tortured* 

Thetyfih. Ctin this do*l ? hence, thou fien<l 

Harp. Claap Jupiter's image, and away ^^ .: i, iu»i. 

Tktttpfu At thee TU iing that Jupiter ; for, Re- 
thinks, 
I ser^'e a better master : he now checks me 
For murdenog my two daughters, put oof by tha a 

• OrJhmwmtMarf^wxi] la Coxelrr't edttion.^ibea 
wai dropl at the prcaa, I anppoae : and M. W«w.n. ^rh.. 
•eeras to have do concept loo of any older or - 
Mindly ruUitwedbIm; ihun^h ihe line h4a iteiil.. 
itor »cn»e withont the ^ord, inM'rte<d Troni ihe oM ^^ 
h«it ind«*«d the fihole of thia »crne, nti It Maud* In iIht lii»o 
fonnertillflouf.eipeciAlty the laitttf full of the moaA ■haiuir' 
fnJ ilHiRdert. 

f y/»ntoothfttU, &c.' Midfrii cdl 

tioaa hdve tooth wfrtm' > wonl, hat 

ahonid not have ber« -iJ . iiiiMr. 

I Harp. Spit ittotftft^tifth,] TIm^ utxt and tKcond t|naflM 
read Mpet, which wa« i*t*V¥ bieglnnlng tugrvwr ubmletti' ; la Cb« 
auccecinne vne It U *p*f- 

$ |fbi oQ fry thm —1 L P. «Deoans»d, Iai»if«te4. 

So lo Sb«k«pcare : 



Q 



THE VIRGIN-MaRTYR. 



«9 



iamn'd rhetoric did I hunt the life 

thea, the holy Tirgin-martyr. 

)t angry with the axe, nor me. 

Is these presents to me ; and 111 travel 

rids to find her, and from her white hand 

rgiveness. 

No ; 111 bind thee here. [weapon*, 

i, I serre a strength abore thine ; this small 
s is armour hard enough. 

Keep from me [Smh a little. 

k. Art posting to thy centre? down, hell- 
nd ! down ; 

n hast lost: that arm, which hurls thee 
ice, [Horpox dueqrpears, 

', and set meik,>, the strong defence 
ur Christian's quarrel ! 

Enter Anoslo. 

Fix thy foot there, 
thou shaken with a Cesar's roice, 
thousand deaths were in it ; and I then 
Of thee to a river, that shall wash 
ody hands clean and more white than snow ; 
hat garden where these blest things grow, 
hat martvr'd rirgio, who hath sent 
ftvenly token to thee : spread this brare wing, 
re, turn Caesar, a far greater king. [^Exit. 
, It is, it is some angeL Vanish'd again ! 
le back, rarishing hoy ! bright messenger ! 
ist, by these mine eyes fix'd on thy beauty, 
m! all my souL Now look I back 
>lack mannies, which, as they did [me, 
the bloodiest, thou, blest spirit, that lead'st 
le what I must to do, and, to do well, 
r last act the best may paxallelt. [Exit. 



SCENE n.— Dioclesian's Palace. 

hocixaks, Maximxnus, the King* of Epire. 
IS, and Maoedon, meeting Aktemia ; Atten- 

. Gloxy and conquest still attend upon tri- 

t Cesar I 

. Let thv wish, fair daughter, 

Uy divided ; and hereafter 

kon to know and reverence Maximinus, 

x>wer, with mine united: makes one Cesar. 

But that I fear 'twould be held flattery, 

ds considered in which we stand tied, 

and empire, I should say, till now 

tad seen a lady I thought worthy 

J mistress. 

. Sir, yon show yourself 

irtier and soldier ; but take heed, 

ed, my lord, though my dull-pointed beauty, 

>y a harsh refusal in my servant, 

jart forth such beams as may inflame you, 

f encounter such a powerful one, 

th a pleasing heat will thaw your heart, 

bound in nbs of ice. Love still is love. 



— Macbeth 



:• ripe for shaking, and the Powers above 
"trf oa their InatminettU." 

ihU mmaU weapon,] Meaning, I believe, 

MS of flowers," which he had Jast t'onnd. The 
and idea* of tbb play are porely catholic 

say latt act the beet ma^ parallel J Thus far 
wliat foUows I apprehend was written by Masain- 

b nnsorpaaaed in tlie English language.) 



His bow and arrows are the same : great Julitis, 
That to his successors left the name of Cesar, 
Whom war could never tame, that with dry eyes 
Beheld the large plains of Pharaalia cover'd 
With the dead carcases of senators 
And citiaens of Rom 'fhen the world knew 
No other lord but hw , struck deep in years too, 
^And men nay-har'd forget the lusts of youth) 
After all th, s, meeting fiur Cleopatra, 
A suppliant too, the magic of her eye. 
Even m his pride of conquest, took him captive ; 
Nor are yon more secure. 

Mar. Were you deform'd 
(But, by the gods, you are most excellent). 
Your gravibr and discretion would overcome me ; 
And I should be more proud in being prisoner 
To your fair virtues, than of all the honours. 
Wealth, title, empire, that my sword hath purchased. 

Diode. This meets my wishes. Welcome it, 
Artemia, 
With outstretched arms, and study to forget 
That Antoninus ever was ; thy fate 
Reserved thee for this better choice, embrace it. 

Max.* This hi^py match brings new nerves to 
give strength 
To our continued league. 

Ihocle Hymen himself 
Will bless this marriage, which well solemnize 
In the presence of these kings. 

K. of Pontut. Who rest most happy. 
To be eyewitnesses of a match that brings 
Peace to the empire. 

Diocle. We much thank your loves ; 
But Where's Sapritius, our governor. 
And our most ziealous provost, good Theophilua ? 
If ever prince were blest in a true servant. 
Or could the gods be debtors to a man. 
Both they and we stand far engaged to cherish 
His piety and service. 

Artem. Sir, the governor 
Brooks sadly his son's loss, although he tum'd 
Apostata in death t ; but bold Theophilus, 
Who, for the same cause, in my presence, seal'd 
His holy anger on his daughters' hearts ; 
Havinff with tortures first tried to convert her, 
Dragg d the bewitching Christian to the scaffold. 
And saw her lose her head. 

Diocle. He is all worthy : 
And fitnn his own mouth I would gladly hear 
The manner how she suffer'd. 

Artem. Twill be delivered 
With such contempt and scony (I know his nature) 
That rather 'twill beget your highness' laughter. 
Than the least pity. 

Diocle. To that end I would hear it. 

Enter Theophilus, SAPRirirs, and Macbinus. 

Artem. He comes ; with him the governor. 

Diocle. O, Sapritius, 
I am to chide you for your tenderness ; 
But yet, remembering that you are a father. 



* Max. Thi» happy match, dec.] The old copies give this 
to the AT. qf Epire ; it is evident, however, that he cannot 
be the speaker ; I malie no apology for restoring it to Maz- 
Jminns. 

t Apostata in death i] Here again the modem editors, 
read, Apostate in deaths though it absolately destroys the 
measure. It is very strange that the frequent recurrence of 
this word should not teach them to hesitate on the propriety 
of corrupting it up<Mi all occasions. 



d(> 



THE VIRGIN-MARTYR. 



[Act V.I 



I win forget it. Good TheonbituB, 

Vl\ speak with you nnoii — Nwuer, your ear» 

[To SajfritWi, 

Thtopk, [atidt to MacFmiii*<.y By AutoniuuB' soul* 
I do conjure you, 
And rllOu^^h not for religion, for Ins friendsliip, 
Without demanding what':} the cause thatmovda mt>, 
Receive roy itgnet ; — by the power of this, 
Go to my prisons, aiui rebose all Chmtimis 
That are in fettera thero bv my comniiand* 

Mac. But what »httM follow 1 

Thti^h, Haste then to the port; 
You tJi(»n« shall find two tall ahips feidy rig^M*, 
In which embark the poor distrc^ied flOuU» 
And bear tliem froin tlie reach of tvninny. 
£]}qiiire not whither you are bouad ; the Deity 
That they adore will give you prosjierous winds, 
And make your voyage such, and Inrgt^ly pny for 
Your hazam, and your travail. Leave me here ; 
There is a scene tlmt I must not ulone. [you f 

llaate, g<K>d Macrinua ; and the great God guide 

Mnc. ril undertake*t, there's something prompta 
me to it ; 
'Tts to save innocent blood, a aaiat-like act ; 
And to he roerciful has never been 
By moral men themselvi*s f esteem'd a &in, {EsriL 

Ditxif, You know your charge ? 

Sap. And will with care observe it. 

DiocU. For 1 profess he is not Ciesar'a friend, 
ITiat sheda a tear for any torlure thai 
A Christ inn suJTers. Welcome, my beat sorvnnt, 
My eoreful irndous provost ! tliow liust toiKd 
To satisfy my will, though m I'llremes : 
I love thfe for*t ; lliots art firm rock» tio changeling. 
Prithee deliver, and for my sake do it, 
Without excess of bitterness, or scoffs. 
Before my brother and theae ktngd^ how took 

KThe Christian her deatli ? 
Theoj^. And such » presence, 
Though every private head in tliis large room 
Weir* circled round with an imperial croivu, 
Her itory will deaene, it is »o full 
Of excollenre and wonder. 

DkicU. Ha! how is this? 

Thtoph, O ! mark it, therefore, and witli that 
attfliitaont 
Aa you would hear an embassy from heaven 
By a winp*d legate ; for the truth delivered 
Both how, and what, this hlessifKl virgin suffered. 
And Dorotliea but heronfter named, 
You wll! liae up with revereni:<«, and no more, 
At thinga unworthy of your thoughts^ remember 
WHiot the cenoniEcd Bpartan ladies were, [matrons, 
Which lying Greece so boosts of. Vour own 
Your Roman dames, whose Hgures you yet keep 
As holy relict, in her history 
Will find a second tini : Gracchus* Cornelia |, 



* You there uhttt Jind tun full *ftip§ rtadp riM*i,\ W« 
liboolil now My, hi»> Kuui thiptj b»t vsv the Cnmttunal 
Cttmhat. 

t By iiinr*l wm tfufHtetv^M, Ac,) Tbii \a th* nEBtJin^ of 
khf fii^t cun> : «ll Ihr the fAUvn have, tnorljil men^ 

{UrttfichuM* r&melia,) Tliit p^iitiage,af {itiiilcil in llic okl 
tioo, Li iioKH'tlif'. M. M«tU3«. 

Titi* In nomewh^i boU\ hi out whn nvvtr mw liie old edi- 
tlowA. In Coxciir, indeed), U b i«riDfeil, or nthri poiiite»1, 
•• iMi<iiiFt)fl4r ; bill iM «-4|| hli» llic old edition it Jratrcily car- 
rect. Tliefirtt qutrlo mail* »» Id tf.e text wUli thvcKcoptkm 
of aa spoitrvplie •ori4l«alally mlipUced ; tbe jbc<r<>tu1 rdlovrt 
It, and soUi are incft eotrtct lltmo Mr. M. Ma«gDi either in 
nil teal or note. 



Paulina, that in death desired to follow 
Her husband .Seneca, nor Bnittis' Pnrtin, 
That »iwa]|f>w''d bunuug coala to overtake hi 
Though all tlieir severau worths weEre g;ir«:fD to oot. 
Witli this is to be mention *d. 

Ma J. Is he mad T 

Du*cU. Why, they did die, TheophOu^, and bokUy; 
Thia did no more. 

Tkeoph. They, out of desperatioD, 
Or for vain glory of an aftvr-narae. 
Parted with life : this hod not matiooaa aona. 
As the raah Gracchi were -, nor was Uiiji aatnt 
A doating mother, as Cornelia was : 
ThiJi loat no husband, in whose overthrow 
Her weal til and honour sunk ; no fear of want 
Did makt her being tedious ; but, aiming 
At an immortal crown, and to Hiii cau«>e 
Who only can besLow it, who sent down 
Legions of ministering aiigels to bear u|i 
Her sjKyUeaa soul to benven ; who entertsia'd k 
With choice celestial music, equal to 
The motion of the spheres, she, ancompell'd. 
Changed this life for a better. My lonl SupritiHS 
\'ou were present at her death ; did you •"« hmt 
Such ravisliing sounds ! 

Sop, Yet you 80 id then *twas witchenll. 
And derilinh illusions. 

Thttyph. 1 theti heard it 
With sinful ears, and belched out blasphemous worda 
Agiiinst hiA Oeitv, which tlien 1 knew not 
Nor did believe in him. 

Diocie. Why, dost thou now* 
Or dar*Bit thou, in our hearing— 

Theoph. Were mv voice 
As loud as is hm thundfr, to be heard 
Through all Uie world, all potentates on «uth 
Ready to btirst witli m^, should they but hear it; 
Though hifll, to aid their malice, lent her furies, 
Yet 1 would sjmak, and B|ieak again, and boldly^ 
I am a Christian, and the Powers you worship 
But dreams of fools and madmen. ' 

Max, Lay hands on bim. 

DtMk. Thou twice a child! for doadng a^ m 
mi.kes thee, 
Thou couldst not else, tliy pilgrimage of life 
Deing almost ^mst through, in this lust moment 
DL*stroy whatever thou hiuit done good or grel 
Thy youth did promise much ; and, grown a mAii, 
Thou mod St it good, and, with increase ckf yeara, 
Thy actions still better'd : as the sun, 
I'hoQ did'ni rise gloriously, kept'st a constant coutia 
In all tliy jouroey ; and now, in the evening, 
When thou should'st pass witli honour to thy reit« 
Wilt thou fall like a meteor 1 

Sitp. Yet confess 
That thou art mad, and that thy toogua and 
Had no agreement, 

AftLT, Do ; no way is left, else, 
To save tliy lite, Theophilua. 

Dioelt. Hut, refusie it. 
Destruction as horrid, land as sudden, 
Shall lull upon thee, m if hell stood opni. 
And rhou wert sinlin^ tlnther, 

Th&c'ph. Hear me, yet ; 
Hear for my nervice pnit* 

Artem. \\ hat will ho say ? 

Thcffph, A* evt-r I deserved your favour, bear 

And grant one boon: 'tis not for life I sue for*, 

* *n» mt fwr Hf§ / nrr for I The ^Jiioilrm Mt|l««s ma^ 



II.] 



THE VIRGIN-MARTVR. 



HI 



is it fit that I, that ne*er knew pitj 

ny Christiaii, being one myself, 

lid look for any ; no, I rather beg 

utmost of your cruelty ; I stand 

>mptable for thousana Christians' deaths ; 

, were it possible that I could die 

ly for every one, then live again 

e again t(»mented, 'twere to me 

ttsv penance, and I should pass through 

•ntle cleansing fiie ; but, that denied me, 

fing beyond m strength of feeble nature, 

luit is, you would hare no pity on me. 

kine own house there are thousand engines 

tudied cruelty, which I did prepare 

miserable Christians ; let me reel, 

tie Sicilian did his braaen bull, 

horrid'st you can find, and I will say, 

Mth that you are merdfuL 

ioc/if. Despair not, 

is thou shalt preTail. Go fetch them hither : 

lEiiL Guard, 
h shall put on a thousand shapes at once, 
so appear before thee ; racks, and whips !— 
flesh, with burning pincers torn, shall feed 
fire that heata thou ; and what's wanting to 
torture of thy body. 111 supply 
inishing thy mind. Fetch all the Christians 

are in hold ; and here, before his fiioe, 

hem in pieces. 

eoph, Tis not in thy power : 

IS the fijrst good deed I ever did. 

are remored out of thy reach ; howe'er 
I determined for my sins to die, 
t took order for their liberty, 
Etill I dare thy worst. 

U-etUer Guard vith the instrumenU of torture, 
x'b. Bind him I say ; 
t ererj artery and sinew crack : 
dare that makes him eiTe the loudest shriek,* 

have ten thousand orachmas : wretch ! Ill 
irae the Power thou worship'st: [force thee 
toph, Nerer, nsTer; 
retth of mine shall e'er be spent on him, 

[They tomtent him, 

rhat shall ^keak his majesty or mercy, 
ononr'd in my sufferings. Weak tormentors, 
tortures, more : — alas T yon sre unskilful — 
earen's sake more ; my breast is yet untom : 
purchaae the reward that was pronounded. 
rons cool, — here are arms yet, ana thighs ; 
no part of me. 
r. He endures beyond 
ufferance of a man. 
, No sigh nor groan, 
tness he hath feeling. 
cle. Harder, yillains ! 

Enter Harpax. 

•p. Unless that he blaspheme he's lost for erer. 
nents erer could bring forth despair. 



Jbr : bat tbey are too Maeamish. This redn|^c«- 
ta practiaed by all the writers of oar anthor** lime ; 
:h I could, if it were neceaaary, five a thousand ez- 
; Massiofer himaelf would famish a considerable 



e sUyc that 
the editkws 
line to his own 



him gioe the loudeet 9hri«k,] So 
the last; when Mr. M. Mason, to 
\ of barmoay, discarded Theelaoe 



Let these compel him co it : Oh me, 

My sncient enemies sgain ! IFaUt doM>tu 

Enter Dobothea ma white "vfrf, a croim upon her 

head, led in by Angelo ; Antomhus, Calista, and 

Chruteta foUowing, all in wAite, but leu glorioui ; 

Angelo holdt out a crown to Theophilus. 

Theofih, Most glorious rision ! 

Did e'er so hard abed joeld man a dream 
So hearenly as this 1 I am confirm'd, 
Confirm'd, you blessed spirits, and make haste 
To take that crown of immortality 
You offer to me. Death, till this blest minute, 
I never thought thee slow-paced ; nor would I 
Hasten thee now, for any pain I suffer. 
But that thou keep'st me trom a glorious wreath, 
Which through tms stormy way I would creep to. 
And, himibly kneeling, with humility wear it. 
Oh ! now I feel thee : — ^blessed spirits ! I come ; 
And, witness for me all these wounds and acars, 
I die a soldier in the Christian wars. [Diti, 

Sap. I have seen thousands tortured, but ne'er yet 
A constancy like this. 

Harp. I sm twice dsmn'd. 

An^. Haste to thy pkce appointed, cursed fiend ' 
In spite of hell, this soldier's not thy prey ; 
'Tis I hare won, thou that hast lost the dsy. [Exit 
[Harpax tinki with thunder and lightning, 

Dioele. I think the centre of the earth be crack'd. 
Yet I stand still unmoved, and will go on : 
The persecution that is here begun. 
Through all the world with yiolence shall run. 

[Flourith. Exeunt* 

* Mr. M. MaaoB capriciously deranged the order in which 
Coxeter printed these plays, and began with The Picture, a 
piece which bears the strongest Internal marks of being a 
late production. With respect to the Virgm-Martyrtht 
considerably under-rates it, and Indeed dispUivs no portion 
of Jodgment in appreciating either Its beauties or defects. 
He adopts Coxeter's idea that it was Indebted for Its success 
to the abominable scenes between HIrclns and Spangius, 
pronoaaces the sublect of the tragedy to be unpleaaant. the 
incidents umuiturtU, and the eupemahmU agenu employeu 
to bring them about, destitute of the singnbrity and wtldnesa 
which diatlnguish the fictitious beings of Shakspeare. With 
respect to the sublect, it is undoubtedly ill chosen. Scourg- 
ing, racking, and beheading, are circumstances of no vciy 
agreeable kind ; and with the poor aids of which the stage 
was then possessed, must have been somewhat worse than 
ridiculous. Allowing, however, for the agency of supernatural 
beings, I scarcely see how the incldenu they produce can, 
as Mr. M. Mason represents them, be unnaturaL The ctm- 
parlson drawn between them and the fictitious beings of 
Shakspeare is injudicious. Shakspeare has no angels nor 
devils; his wonderful Judgment, perhaps, Instracteahim to 
avoid such untractable machinery. With fairies and spirits 
he might wanton In the regions of fancy, i/«.: the chnnirter 
of a heavenly messenger was of too sacred a nature for tirua. 
nes§ and ainffularitif, and that of a fiend too horrible for the 
ft|»ortiveness of imagination. It appears to me that Massln- 

Kr and his associate had conceived the Idea of combining 
e prominent parts of the old Mystery, with the Morality, 
which was not vet obliterated fh>m the memories, nor perhaps 
Anom the affections of many of the spectators: to this, I am 
willing to hope, and not to the rIbaMry, which Mr. M. Ma- 
son so property repiobates, the great success of this singular 
medley might be In some measure owing. I have uken 
notice of many beauilftal passages; but It would be unjust to 
the authors to conclude, without remarking on the good 
sense and dexterity with which they have avoMed the con- 
currence of Angelo and Harpax, till the conclnding scene ; 
an error into which Tasso, and others of greater name than 
Massinger, have inadvertently fallen. 

With a ne^ect of precision which pervades all the argo- 
menu of Mr. M. Mason, he declares it Is easy to distingnlsh 
the hand of Decker from that of Massinger, yet finds a dif- 
ficulty in apppropriating their most characteristic language ' 
If I have spoken with more confidence, it is not dons 
lightly, bat nrom a long and careful study of Masstager 



5f 



THE VIROIN-MARTYR, 



[Act? 



manner, nnd from that species of Internal evidence which, 
thoogfa It might not perhaps sofflciently strilie tlie common 
reader, is with me decisive. With respect to the scenes be- 
tween the two baffoons, it wonld be an inlory to tlie name 
of Massinger to waste a sincle argument la proving them 
not to be his. In saying this I am actuated by no hottilltv to 
Decker, who in this Play has manv passaces which evince 
that he wanted not talents to rival, if he had pleased. Us 
friend and associate. GirpoRD. 

Notwithstanding the blemishes which have been Justiv 
objected to this play, it possesses beauties of an extraordi- 
nary kind.— Indeed, nothing more base and filthy can be 
conceived tlian the dialogues between Hireinsaod SpungiosI 
but the genuine and dignified piety of Dorothea, her nnaul- 
lied innocence, her unshaken constancy, the lofty pity she 
expresses fbr her persecutors, her calm contempt of tortures, 
and her heroic death, exalt the mind in no common degree, 
and make the reader almost insensible of the surrounding 
impurity, through the holy contempt of it which they in- 
spire. 

How sentiments and Imaees thus opposite should be con- 
tatied in the same piece, it is somewhat difficult to conceive. 
If Decker had ftarnubed none but the comic parts, the doubt 
would be soon at an end. But there is good reason to sup- 
pose that he wrote the whole of the second act ; and the very 
first scene of it has the same mixture of loathsome beastliness 
and ang^c purity, which are obterved in those passages 
that are more distant flrom each other* — It b the strange and 
forced conjunction of Mesentius: 

Afofttut jw tffthat cotpoftk vtvM, 

TormentigeMu 

The subject in general is certainly extravagant ; and the 
introduction of a good and evil spirit, disguised in human 
shapes, was not to be expected in what aspired to the credit 
of a regular trasedv. Vet it should be remembered, that 
poetic licenne calls In '* a thousand liveried angels" to *' lac- 
key saintly chastity ;"— that whatever be their departure from 
propriety, such representations had a roost solemn origin ; 
and that, with this allowance, the business in which the 
spirits are engaged has a substantial conformity with the 
opinions of the eariy ages in which the plot is laid. The 
permitted but vain opposition of the demons to the pn^ress 
of the fkith, and the reasoning and ralilery which Dorothea 

ircsses, under the influence of Angelo, against the pagan 

Is, are to be found in Justin, Tatian, AnM>bius, and otners.* 

* (Augustine and Gregory Che Great, who lived so late as 
the fourth centuiv, mention the visits of the angels to this 
•arth even in their days. Eo.) 



—The separate agency of the spirits, %mA tke coBseaaenee 1 
of their personal eaoonnter, are also described im a dune> i 
teristic manner. 

Apart from Aiu»lo, Harpaz seems to advaaee in Us 
malignant work. When the daughters of Thcophilnsexpras 
their seal for paganism, he " grows fht to sec his labuan 
prosper/' Yet he cannot look forwud to the defeat «f 
those labours in their approaching conversion, though, on 
some occasions, we fiad ns could " aee a tlKinaand leagaes" 
in his master's service. And this afrees with the duetrine, 
that when some signal triumph of tlw faith wns at hand, 
the evil spiriu were abridged of their vsaal powers. Agaia, 
when Harpax expects to meet Angelo, he thas ex p iss s a 
the dread of his preseaee, and the effect which It aflcnwds 
produced on hira : 

I do so halt his sig^ 

I shonU^Ink dowB." 

ILse.1. 



That, should Hook on kUs, I 



And this too, perfectly agrees with thn power amihnhJ is 
the superior spiriu of qneUing the demons by thoae hrfiis 
tions of their quality which were not t6 hm p eicdi v ed ly | 
mortals : per oceuMadnuB algma prmmmHm, 



tenHhuM etiam mdUgnonm 9pirih m m, m t fWu fnas 
tail Jumhmmt potnmt «sk wtmIcsm. CHm, nai Uh. la. 

The other parts of the Play do not require mneh shmfs- 
tlon. Indeed, the characters of Callsta and Cbrisiela ane 
well sustained. Hasty, seir-coBfideat, readily pronili 
their steadiness, soon forgetting their resolntions, and 
secure in every change of opinion, they are vrdi eon 
with Dorothea, whose fixed principles alwajr* gnaid 



against rashness, and therefore ptes e r v e 
tion. As to Dioclesian and his captive kinfB, they couk in . 
and go out with little of ow admiration or onr pity. Artenda's J 
love for Antoninus wonld be wholly withont Interest, if we I 
were not moved for a moment by her indignation at the i 
rejection of her offer ; and we see Imt at length consijpwd : 
to Maximinus with as little emotion as is shewn by thea»- 1 
selves. This, however, is somewhat rdleved by Antoniaas's 
passion, a genuine one, for Dorothea. 

Certainly there is too much horror in this tnitcdy. The ' 
daughten of Theophilus are killed on tiM atnc** TbeophihH ' 
himself is racked, and Dorothea is draned by the hair, 
kicked, tortured, and beheaded. Its po|Mlanty nrasi there- ' 
fore In a considerable degree be attii bn tnd to the tnlenst 
occasioned by the contrary agendas oT thn two snirin. Is i 
the glorious vision of the beatified Dorothcn nt the eoncbi- 
sion of the piece, and the reappearance of Afjrfks in hh 
proper character, with the sacred fruit and flonni a , firom dK 
" heavenly garden," and the ** avwB of 
Theophilus. Db. Ikiluco. 



?z 



THE 

UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



I UmvATumAi. Combat.] Of tins Tragedy tbere is but one edition, which wu printed for John Water- 
1 1639. It does not occur in Sir Henry Herbert's Office-book ; so that it is probably of a very early 
and indeed Massing himself calls it " an old tragedy." Like the Virgin-Martyr, it has neither 
pie nor Epilogae, wr which the author accounts in his Dedication, by obserring that the play was 
ised at a time " when such by-ornaments were not advanced above the fabric of the whole work." 

editors of the ^ognphia Drttmatiea speak in n^turous terms of the various excellencies of this piece, 
ink, " that with very little alteration, it might be rendered a valuable acquisition to the present stage." 

doubt : it is indeed a most noble performance ; grand in conception, and powerful in execution ; but 
ssion on which the main part of the story hinges, is of too revolting a nature for public representation 
y admire in the closet what we should turn from on the stage. 
i said, in the title-page, to have been *' presented by the King's Majesty's Servants, at the Globe." 



TO 

MY MUCH HONOURED FRIEND, 

ANTHONY SENTLEGER, 

OF OAKHAM, IN KENT, ESQ. 

Sn, 

'he patronage of trifles, in this kind, hath long since rendered dedications, and inscriptions obsolete 
it ot^ fiuhi<m, I perfectly understand, and cannot but ingenuously confess, that I walking in the same 
nay be truly areued by you of weakness, or wilful error : but the reasons and defences, for the 

of my service this way to you, are so just, that I cannot (in my thankfulness for so many fiivours 
ad) but be ambitious to publish them. Your noble father. Sir Warham Sentleger (whose remarkable 
I must be ever remembered), being, while he lived, a master, for his pleasure, in poetry, feared not to 
converse with divers, whose necessitous fortunes made it their profession, amon^ which, by the 
Lcy of his iudgment, I was not in the last place admitted. You (the heir of nis honour and 
I inherited his good inclinations to men of my poor quality, of which I cannot give any ampler 
Tny, than by my free and glad profession of it to the world. Besides (and it was not the least 
-agement to me) many of eminence, and the best of such, who disdained not to take notice of me, 
lot thought themselves disparaged, I dare not say honoured, to be celebrated the patrons of my 
e studies : in the first file of which, I am confiaent, you shall have no cause to blush, to find 
ame written. I present you with this old tragedy, without prologue or epilogue, it being composed 
ne (and that too, peradventure, as knowing as this) when such by-ornaments were not advanced 
the &bric of the whole work. Accept it, I beseech you, as it is, and continue your favour to the 

Your servant, 

PHILIP MASSINGER, 



DRAMATIS PERSONJE. 



A Steward. 



OBT seniijr, governor of Marseilles. 

OMT junior, hii ton 

osT jenior, admiral of Marseilles. 

OST Jttfitor, hu wan 

•srr, \ 

JONKy \asAtianUio iht gootrnar, 

»» ) 

tEviLLx, a pretended friend to Malefobt aenior. 

ans, a poor captain. 

Sea Captains, of the navy of Malefobt junior 

SCENE.^Marseilles. 



An Usher. 
A Page. 

Theocrine, datighter to Malefobt tenior 
Two Waiting Women. 
Two Courtezans. 
A Bawd. 

Servants and Soldiers. 



TilK UNNATURAL COMliAT, 



Act L' 



ACT I. 



SCENE I.— ^ Hall in tfu Cuurt ofJuMtiet, 

Enter MoNTwivn-Li, THBOCRt>E, Usher, Pag*, and 
Waituig Women, 

Monlr* Now to be motlest. madttm, when you are 
A iuitor for your futher. wouW appear 
Coarsrr than Hold np*H ; you awhile nitiHt part with 
Soft silence, tind the hhiiihing^a of a virgin : 
Though I mtist grant, did not tliia cau.->e command it, 
They ure rich jewcln you have ever worn 
To all men's admiration. In tliia ftge, 
If» Ijt nur own forced importunity* 
Or others purchas*^ intercesaion, or 
CorTU|ilingr bnbps, wo ctin mnke our approiflliei 
To justice, piiardt^d from u^ by stern power, 
We bless the means and ijiduslrj% 

Ush, Here's music [opium, 

[n thi» haf^ }»hall wake her, though nhe had drunk 
Or r ttten mandrakes*. Let coitmunuhTS talk 
Of cuaiions to m&kebreaches» ipve hut fire 
To this petard, it shall blow open, mnrlrmi. 
The iron doora of a judj^e, and m^ke you eiitmnce ; 
VVbeii they (let them do what they can J with all 
rhfsir iiiioe9» tlieir culveririiv, and bnaiU^cost. [lock 
Shall cool tJteir feet without; diis being the pick- 
That never fails, 

MQiitr, Tis true, gold can do much. 
But beautv more. Were I the govenior. 
Though the admiral, your futhf»r, stootl coni'tcted 
Of wluit he'Aaniy doubted, half a dozi*n 
Of sweet clo«*e kiJtses from these cherry lips, 
With some »hort active conference in privata. 
Should nign Lis gfeneral panJoti' 

ThiNfC, These light words, sir, 
Do ill become tlie weiglit of niy 5od fortune i 
And I much wonder^ vou. tJuit do pmfess 
Yourself to be my father's boN,om friend^ 
Can raise mirth tVom his misefy« 

Mmitr. You miijtake me ; 
I ftliare in hk calamity, and only 
Deliver my thong hia freely, what I should do 
For such a rare pi^titioner : nnd if 
You'll follow the direction!* I prescribe, 
With my best judgment I'll mark out the wmj 
For his enlargement. 

Theac. With all real joy 
f shall put what you counael into let, 
Pr<3vided it be hooesL 

Mmtr, Honesty 
In a fiiir she client (tnist to my e3t7>erience) 
Seldom or never prospers ; the world*s wicked ; 
We are men, not sainu, sweet lady ; you mntit 

practice 
The manners of the time, if you intend 
Tu have favour from it : do not deceive yourftelf 
By huildirij^ too much on the ialse foundation a 
Ot chastity and virtue. Bid your wnit»*Fs 
Stand further otf, and I'll come neari»r to you, 

1 Warn, Some wicked counseU on toy life, 

• Or rafcn mANtI rakes.] HHl c»bj*rv*«, Ihit ** tb« ntan 
drakf Ik I a thitHtriftc qiuUty, iind thut it mn* uiied by the 
Ancii'ou wbrti tl»c) wa»lc^ a ti«rcoUc o# a murt |i«>wrrrul 
klivl/' To it»U ibere arc pcrpctuiil allaiiMii in uur dd 
wftlpn. 



« Worn, Ne'er doubt it»* 
If it proc e»Hl from him. 

Page 1 wonder ihwl 
My loi-d BO nnich offecta him, 

UmH, Thou'rt a cliildf. 
And dost not understand on what strong; b<tsts 
This frifudship's raided between tbid ^lontTB^riDe 
Andourlord, Monsieur Malefort ; but Illt««cbtfai« 
From thy years tliey have hwn joint purchaawm 
In fire and water workn, and trucked together. 

Ptit;t. In fire and water works ! 

VJi, Comtiioditieji^ boy, 
Which you may know* hereafter. 

Pa^t'. And Jeul in them* 
When the tnkde 1ih,h given you over, as appeara bf 
The intn*ase of your high forehead^. 

£/*/u Here's a cracky ! 
I tlotik thev suck thi^ knowledge in their milk, 

Pfige. I Li ail an i^orunt nurse elae, I have tied. 
My lady's *^rler, nnd can guess — [aur. 

Uih, Peace, infant ; 
Tales out o'school ! take he«d» you will be breock^d 
else. [Thgocrms rwtimu 

1 Tr<wn, My bdy's colour changoa. 

2 Worn. She fttU* off too. 

Thioe* You are a naughty tnan, indeed you arv -, 
And I will sooner perish with my father. 
Than at lliia price redeem him. 

Montr* Take your own way, 
Your modest, le|i^ way : 'tis not your veil. 
Nor moumtng habit, nor these creatures tauy^bl 
To howl» and cry, when you he^^^in to whimper : 
Nor following ray lonra coach in tbe dirt, 
Mor that which you rely upon, a bnl>e» 
Will do it, when there's somethitig he likes better* 
Tht?ae couTses in an old crone of lhrPoseore|, 
That had seven years tog;ether tired tb© couit 
With tedious petitions^ and clamours, 

• t Wwn. jW« douht it 

ffU yroctedfr&m kirn.] Tlie cbsmcter of Mtmfrevillr *• 

rued wilb iremt l>esttty and prn|»rl«iy. The fixoduai »i 
Uaicaaft!, and ib^ advice Up %\tt* Tbc-ocrinc-. faUy |Mr 
^re «.i for aiiy act of irt«ther> wr crucify h^ m«> berr4n»'« 

t lAb. ThmCrt a child, 

And dmi nat Hmttrttand. ike.] Tlila »p«erh, 11 b lmpo«i 
Me ro Mjf whjf. h«^ kKcn biih'iu* pfinnd m prtjar, lJka«||b 
notblna U.clirurcr ihmi that Ibe autbor iiit ant It for 
inia wbichf imkHil^ ^^ mm as rvitttlily a« any oilirf pml% 
tb« play. (Oiniiteil UDiiitrntionaUy in Ei\H. Illl3«} 

t ^ OM ap^MHirM by 

^f Iftrur btt^li fi^rchf'Nil I AUu*Uii|[* P"* 



liii|i«, fii Ihf preniaiurc b-ilrlnes* occaHMUrd by Jialitiit l» 

(lie couuuiMlUtt'* Just mcntimir^t ; o», U tn«y br. lo tbr faU 

iujj till of UU bair fnun ajpp : ut Ui« w<iii4«n Ui An«i;nr«>A, 

^iXoi' C( <nv /»erwffoi% 
^ I'sh. //mf> rt crjck t] A crack h «u aixth, «pngntly buy - 

Thus, in the Drriit isn Amt : 

'* If VI L' could eti <i winy t>ov now. Fn^liHr, 

That vki'x^ »u excelkiH crnck^ \ <»ald liiatmcl hUn 

To thp gpeai b«i<thi." 

Th« wMd occun aijuin in ihe BaM'tful L^rrrr^ aitd, Iftdrfd, 

ia mo^t of our olrl pUy fi- 
ll Them rourart in an old Cfonr qf thtrrfrt^rt^] Tliit «* 

prrwimi, wbicli, «• Johoihiii aay», mmti* au 44*1 ltH»lblpa« 

ewe, in cootetopitioiiily ut^\ (or an old vtn^iuan, by all (bt 

wNlrn of Mc»cu^«r*> lime. Th«»J«o»o«: 

** tcf bliJi ^UiMc 

Willi lempcr'd polwii U* reiaovt Ihe trmf.** l>«#Ccster 

At»l Shakitiear* : 
*« - take tipi lb« baaianl ; 

Tftk'l If lip » I My; g,lvi iM It** r^n*n0." Wiafirr'a TW*e. 



m^ 



•X.B»fl^ L 



THE UNNAI UHAL CU.uBAi. 



For rlie recoTi?rT of a stfUfqtluig^* huabond^ 

To pif, roraootii, tlie duties of one to her ,— 

But for m lad/ of your tFropiting^ betutieH. 

Your youtlit and mvishing^ frotur^A. to ho|« ouljr 

In such & suit *s this ts, to gain far our. 

Without excknge of couTtosy* — you conceive me— 

Enter BEArroKT juniflr^ and Bklgarde. 

Were mfldness at thu ibeiglit. Hore'a brivB young 

Beaufort, 
The rneteor of Manseille«*t. one that holds 
Tl»6 •4<ivemor bis faeher's will end power 
In nj-'re awe than his own ! Come, com«, advanee. 
Present your h^, cramm'd with crowTis of the sun} ; 
Do you tJjink he cares for mone^ 1 be tores pleasure. 
Bom your petition, bum it ; be doats on you. 
Upon my knowledge; to bis cabinet, do. 
And be will point you out a certain course, 
Be tlie cause rij^bi or wrong, to have your futber 
Relei^ with much facilit/t * [Exi*, 

Tl^tiic. Do you hoar 1 
Take a pandar will] you. 

Bt'iHj\jnR. I tell tJiee there ia neithw 
Empi >yment yet, nor money. 

Beig. 1 hiAve comnuinded. 
And nijeiit my own means in my country *s service, 
I n hope to raise a fortune* 

fieauC jun. Many hare hoped so ; 
But Lop(i*s prove seldom certainties with soldiers. 

Bef^. II no preferment, let rae but receive 
yiy pay that i* behind, to set rue up 
A tB\'ern. or a vaulting bou^e; while men lore 
Or drunkenness, or lechery^ they'll ne'er f&il me: 
Shall t have that? 

Beanf.JuH, Aii our prixes are brought in; 
Till then you mxnt be patient. 

Bei^. In the mean tim^, 
Kow .Hball I do far clothes ? 

H^Hj.jun. As moJit captain* do : 
Philosopher-like^ c^rry all ytiu hava about yoti$. 

B*ig, But bow shall I do, to satisfy coloo||, mom- 
Tbire lies the doubt. [sieur t 

Bmtif.jun, That's easily decided : 
^fy f«tW*s table's free for any man 
Tlt»t hath bom afiiu^ 

J5f^. And there'* good store of meat? 

IUaui\jtin, Never iear that. 

Delg, 111 seek no other ori!tni>iry then, 
But be bis daily gnest without invit«ment ; 
Kod if my atomacb bold, I'll feed so heartily, 
As be aball pay me suddenly, to be quit of me. 

Beov/.jttiu Ti^ahe. 

Bd^. And further 



• For tk^ Tficottnt ^fa ttrisgling huMbttnd.] The old eopf 
readi Mramfitbtg, 

t T%fmetnrqfUmnKU\9%^ It iniy br proper to ohtenre 
acre, once ffir ill, Ibal Mir^Ulem, or »* Mn»tki>K«r ipelts it, 
MiraeSlis, i* eaiuUnily lued hy him at a IdsyllaMe, wbldi, 
in f^cc. It im. 

t '-- ffvwnM <^f tht tun ;) EicuM d* *oirit, th« be»r 

kiiid of rrtvima%,tnys Cf^tgMVf, tb»t are now ma'k; tliry 
hav* m kind of little •.far (nun) on ooe tide. Thia coin it tte- 
■loeolly iBKDtiiaaiKl by o«r cM writer«> 

^ PhUamapkrrUke, Carry all you kat^e aho t pou.} Alio 
dittf to tile well koown saying of Sitoooidr*, " OinnlJi run 
nMdun porlo/* 

I ; — to mi^fy fofoBj manMieurf] L e. the en vin^t of 



Btaif,ftin, Away, you are troublesome j 
Deiig-ni of more weight — -^ 

Beta^, I la ! fair Theocrine. 
Nay. if a velvet petticoat move in the front, 
Bulf jerkins must to tlie reur ; 1 know my manner* ♦ 
This ia, indeed, great busin4*sA, mine a gew^w. 
I may dauoe attendance, ihiii must be dispiitch'd,- 
And suddenly, or all will go to wreck ; 
Cbvrge her home in the flank, my lord: nay, I itn« 
gone air, [ EtiL 

Besti/t jtin^Nay, prvy yon, madam, rise, or 1*11 kne*^ 1 
with you. 

Page. I would bring you on your kneas, were I w 
woman. 

Bfituf.Jun. What in it can deserve ao poor a n one 
As a suit to me? This more tbun mortal form 
Was fashioD*d to command, and not entreaPt : 
Your will hut known ia served 

Theoc, Great sir, my ^ther, 
T^Iy brave, deterring father j^bnt that sorrow 
Forbid* the use of speech 

Beaitf.Jttn, I understand you. 
Without the aids of those interpreters 
Tlmt full from your fair eyes ; I know you labour 
The liWrty of yoar fatlier ; at the least, 
Ao e)|ual* bearing to acquit himjelf : 
Atid 'tis not to endear my service to you, 
Tbuug^h I mu»t odd, aud pray you with patipnce 

bear it, 
Tis hard to be effected, in respect 
The 5tate*» inconded asi^inst htm : all presumiii^, 
The world of outrag*** liis impious sou, 
I Tom'd wofio th&n pirate in his cruelties, 
I Express 'd to this poor couutrv, could not be 
; Willi such ease put in ejcecution, if 
^'our ftitb»»r, of late our great admiral. 
Held not or correspondence, twooonived 
At his proceed ingA. 

TA*jd. And must hp tlien suffer, 
His cause unheard T 

Beauf.Jun, As yet it is resolved so. 
In their determination. But suppose 
{For I would nourish hope, not kill it, in yon) 
I should divert the torrent of their purpose, 
And render theTit, that are implacoble, 
Iinpartlsl judges, and not sway'J with spleen ; 
Will von, I dare not say in recompense. 
For iBaCincludea a debt _vou cannot owe mti 
But in your liberal bounty, in my suit 
To you, be graciotis ? 

The^f, You entreat of me, sir, 
Wliat I should oier to you, with confession 
That you much undervalue your own worth. 
Should you receive me, since there come with ycu 
Not lustful fires, but fair and lawful tlnmes. 
But t must he eicused, 'tis now no time 
For me to diink of Hymeneal joys. 
Can he, (and pray you, sir, consider it) 
That gave me life, and faculties to love. 
He, as he*i* now, rendy to l>p (levoiir*d 
By ravenous wolvi*i, and at tljsit instant, I 
But entertain a thought of those delights. 
In which perhop.*, my ardour meets with yours ! 
Duty and piety forbid it, siir. 



the colon it the l«rgr«t nf {tn human tiilefti.n«i: ll 
ftrvqaetifty occori In t^« Mine tciite it bcrc, in our old pocti. 
Sole fA* Jr»7«. 

" ^tH«4hn from flMh—wliibt eohn keep* more doLw 
Than in«fiii«r« nt pl«)», or Jipple^wtvcf, 
TTwl wr*t)(lF for « %Uvt." 



* An equal h^nrituj^ A Jru-t Impartial bparln^; m e^uaf U 
rnnitanlly uial b>' Ma<i<i<i(;<:r ainil hit conlem|H*r;irtrii: xhm 
Plelf licj- : 
" Wb4t could till* fhirf h;jve done, had Itii ci^mm? bcrn f^twl! 

He miidt my bt.'an»trin*tii tremble/' Knight qf MaJltfi. 



TAK UNNATUBAL COMBAT. 



Aciti 



I\€itvf,jun^ Buttliia effected, sad your fatlier free, 
Whnt is jour answer ? 

Thfoc. Every minute to me I 
Will \ye a iMlious age, till our ernhmoaa 
An* wamintJible to the world. 

Bfititf, jun, I lu}^ no more ; 
Cfuifirm u with n lti*s, 

TAcv. l doubly &e«l it. 

Uiih, This wQiitd do bettor alied. the btiaioesB 
ended: — 
They ira the loving'it couple ! 

Enter Beau port mnwr, Montaicne, Chamokt, and 

L.iKoun. 

RftMuf.jun* Here comes my father^ 
With die Council of Wur : tf«»Uv€r your petition, 
And leave the rest to me. [TA^w:. ejj'eri a ftujier. 

BeauJ\ ufiu I Jim Borry, lady, 
Vouf fafber'a guilt compels your innocence 
To Kftk what I lu juHtice muat deny. 

Beanfjun, For my soke, air, pniy you receiire 
aiid ri»ad it. [nothinj:;', 

Bmu/. sen. Thou foolii«h boy J I can d«^iiy iJieo 

Btttvf.jnn. Thus far we uro hflppy, madam ; fjuit 
Vcju tilitdl hi'ttT how we succeed. [the place ; 

Tlitiie. fiootlness reward von ! 

[Etrurif Tkioerifut^ Vaher^ ^«^^** «"<' Wnmen* 

Mtmt, It is apparent ; and we stay too long 
To o«iiaure Malffort* a« he deaerrea. 

[The\f t0k« fM* maU, 

Cham, There is no colour of reason that makes for 
him : 
Had 1h4 diKt'harged the truit commiU<?d to him^ 
With that experience and fidelity 
He practised heretofore, it could not be 
Out navy i»hould he block'd uji, and. in our si^ht, 
Our c^oodt^ uiade prize, our sailom sold for slavea, 
By hts proili^ous issue f. 

Lan. 1 much y^ieve, 
After ao many bmve and high achievemeata^ 
Ke should in one ill forfeit all the good 
He ever did his CJOUDt^]^^ 

Bmtff. sen. Well, 'tis granted f. 

BumuJ'.jiin. I humblv thank yoo, sir. 

Beauf. ten. He shall have hearing. 
His irons too struck off; bring him before of, 
Bat seek no further favour. 

Brauf^jun, Sir, I dare not. [EitL 

BeuuJ\ lew. Monsieur Chamont, jVIontaigne, La- 
noiir, aasistanta. 
By a commission from the moat ChruitiaQ king, 
h punishing or freeing MaWforf^ [not 

Our hitt^ great admiral : ihotii^h I know you need 
lustructicius from me, how to dispovie of 
YourAplves in this man's trial, that exacts 
Your clearest judgments, gire me itmye^ with fnTOur, 

* To cvfuurv Mdltffort &c.| ^faUfort h licrc, «n(l tluroo^b- 

t Ha hi* [tr i Ai ^ion» i§itvf,\ i, e. tinu.itufal horrlMr pmr- 
tecit«'Ut *.< *>il; lu *l(i* « n** it i* om-n «|k|i|(n| lo c{<ti>el«, 
aOiiJ oflirr rilraonlliiinry flfUM'Mrantri* In ilic *ky 
** KirhoLi yun roitirl ikht-wi l:ii>t lirad agjiiu I 
TvKlct hittli »K- thuji nt cfni»» toriift Ihruwn cm m 
Prndighm* UnA»." Tht Himt^at Uhorw, 

** TI>I» woman'* Uirrintf, her «yc» e'en rwl with lliry 
Wblrli like ifroftigimm mt.-ti<oni, Tortiotd 
Awarrd dvslmcUon mrr itltl be fan itic-/' 

The CaptAbt. 
. B««iif. wfi, tt^ff. Via f^ranfe^L) It iippe»re, tiuin 11m 
•ubat^'inrrif *|^cc|»et, ihni youn^ Rr^ufort bad Imtcii iuiUriUfi|| 
his fattiri to 4l|pw MAlrtfln xo plead i^iilioat Ilia rhNln> 



To offer my opinion. We are to beair him , 

A little looking back on his 6itr actioos, 

I^^'al, and true demeanour ; not as now 

By the geaersl roice abeadj he's cocidemu VI , 

But if we find, as most helteve, he batli hvsld 

lufelligence with bin accuned son. 

Fnlleii off from all iillegiatice. and turned 

(But for what cause we know not) the moat bloodj 

And fatal etiemy thii country ever 

Repeated to hare brought forth ; all eoropttSAroa* 
• ♦ ♦ • • '^m i 

Of what be was. or may he, if now purdon^d j 
We sit engaged to censure bim with ttll 
Extremity and rigour* 

Cham. Your lordship shows a« 
A piith which we will tread in. 

Ixtn* He that leases 
To follow, as you k'tid, will lose liimaelf. 

Morir. Ill not be singubir. 

Re-enter BtAcmitT junitrr^ tcith MovmtvtLLK, 
Male FORT senhr^ Bf-UJardii, und O/jFrfra, 

Bivi uf. sen. He comes, but with 
A ^Iniuge distracted look. 

Mttt^j'. nen* Lire I once moref 
To aee these hands and arms free ! theae, that oAm» 
In the moat dreadful horror of a fight, 
Hare been as ieamorks to tetich such as were 
Seconds in my attempts, to steer between 
The rocka of too much daring, ajid pale A>ar, 
To frtach the port of victory ! when my sword^ 
Advanced thuH, to my enemies appeared 
A tiairv comet, tlireatt^niug death a.nd ruin | 
To such as durst behold it ! These the legu, 
ThuL, when our ships were grappled, curried me 



- ttU atrnftoMMou 



Of what tic.] The (Quarto rrarfat 

— — nit comp^fMtitm 

0/whnt hr voi, or mttj/ be, {fntm pardrm^it ; 
0|>r»u MluL-h Mr. M. Masod oh*iri'Vr*, " Tttit vrtii 
iiUimIh i* Dol t«it*c; if ilie wi^nla afi cv*mptimi< 
wt ii>u*l nec«f*aril> *npim*f ihal Mng luW *tw.^ 
•ivf H ihiiitMr Import, hdivc l>een omiltcd in ih- - 
llj,c imm ii.4tur.ll iMnttniT of aiiteti(Un{( tli- 
rfartii«|( n*t i'^imjtaM$ittH * the w«ir<l haotng b> 

1 can DtlVluT r*'ct4ncik m)«rir lo n(»o(>m}r„»T4<T/ 
mtsj^ Ac. tior u> nlL He miglil. It tcqiiltlril, Iw ,i 
CnntionnfltT n^ bvforr, MtuI tu^ such a i'Ucumttaiti t 
cvirkmly attiiilin. i believe lh«l n Uiic U ton, atxi v*tiii n^ 
\\vA\n.\Wn wuulO propo«« lo lupj^ily tlte ebama toiurwJuil la 
I bit wa> : 



:P- 



0/ Mm ifmri paiutd owr, 0U t 
O/trbAt hm too*, or mm§ A#, (fa 
riV tit, Ac. 

t ^f Alcf. wn. fJf*e I mcf m0re iccJ Tkitft la ■OMMhlst 
vrrv Biirlkinf in the Indiiinant hnnt (wT uira|^ ovfvalaiioii 
^'Uh which thia old warrior intmiduc*** hhnteli tsn the aeeBai 
; 4 h^iry comely Act f*o Ui FuimuB TrtMv ■ 

** — rotnits shwtb thrir JIuming hatr : 

Ttnt4 «ll tmr v^ari werer acieil drrt. on hlt^ti. 
And %*t' liinRhl i»liat tu iiNti, for." 
Frtini iliJK, aiid itin |inji»a|i,o In tbi* ttkl, Mittpn, who«pp«an^ 
try vMriiiii* n»a)k« nf iiuiuiion, ls> havi; bc«n a CArf«fUl rtadrr 
of }kt4t»iii|i;trr, |>r«>tMlkly formvrl the mapUfieeat and awfal 
picture wljich fiiUiiV(» i 

♦* ^ On ill-' i.thtr aid*, 

lltiurrifiMl, and llkr 'rf, 

Tlial firnt tlu' l*'n!tth 1 1 , htiM 

In the arctic *ky, iwi Ituii* lu« horrtrl h«tr 
Shokr» pt^rtilcnci- and war/'— ^— - 

(A ntftre r^cpliilt illtiiUutJoo ma^ be qnotd ffxan Plittovrl 

H«»Mnd> tranfljtlon of PUny, t>. U, clA. 
" Till *c bliii^ing »tJim'» the Crctkea call cmnrloM imr floK 

manes ariniias dreadful lo b« weoe wilb l»l<»iMtle k^irm^ 

am) all «vcr mugh and ahatK^d lu itw top. Ilka iH* iHiak «l 

of haire upon tbr Head.) Ko- 



mt 



THE UNNATURAL COMHAT. 



87 



jTirifi motion from deck to deck, 
at saw it« witb amasemeat cried, 
n run, but 1Ue» J 
te BttlJ retnins 
leiA of bis spirit 
ni. Now crampt witli irons^ 
nd cold, they bardly do mtpport m^-^ 
et inyTOlf. O, mv good lords, 
lere os my judgv*, to dptenuiin** 
|d deoth of Malefort, where ar© now 
Bt9f tboae cheerful lookd, tboiw loud np- 

ib, whefi r rpturn'd loeden with flpoil^ 

Uda'd your admiral T olVa forgotten : 

nd htftt to |i^Te aecoiint of that 

I urn u free and innocent 

L nercr saw the eyes of him t, 

1 I stand »u»pected. 

ten. Monsieur Malefort, 

tor paasioii so ikr transport yoa, 

BTS from sny private malice, 

yoor person, you are tjuestionM : 

m Buppositioiid i^-niit weight, 

ivite us to 8 strong nssunmce, 

jfn. ]yiy shame * 

pa. Pmy you, hear with patiimoe, — never 
fssLitance or sure aids from you, 
sth the pirutes of At^era X and Tunii}, 
le that you had almost twice dt* femted. 
uch credit, as witii thi?m to be 
olute commander (pray yon ob9*n-ve mv) ; 
ad not iome contract pass'd between ytju, 
en occasion served, you would joiu with 
m of Maraeillea. [them, 

lior«, what urged 
to turn ap35tata § 1 
Had he from 

, or iroremor, the least ndglect 
ry could interpret for a wrong ? [could 
'r. if you slept not in your charge, how 
ihips ss do infest oar coast, 
i in ottr own harbour shut our asry, 
mfoujEht with T 

t^ Th«y put him hnnlly to it 
My lornt, with a« much brevity as I can, 
ir e«rh pnrticular objection [which 

icli you charf^e me, llie mam pxmnd, on 
• the builditig of your accnsatton, 
rence to my son : should I now curse him, 
m tlte agony of my troubletl soul, 
Hhad found him in his mother's womb, 
k'tis from Uie purpose ; and 1 therefore 

I to the d^vil, and so tears htm* 
|]oyaI fatlter but myself 
cherous issue T wasH in me 

9 to fiiahion up his mind, 
vtioa to form 
i to his hodv ! I\Iu$t it follow. 




D^ciiu5e that be is impious, I am felae ?- 

1 would ijot Itoaat my actions, yet 'tis lawful 

To uphnud ray benelifs to untliankful men. 

Who sunk the Turkish gullies in the streights, 

But Malefort ? Who reicuetl the French merchant's, 

\\ hen they were boarded, and stow'd under hatches 

By the Turate-i of Argier*, whrn every minute 

Thtjy did ex^ject to be chain *d to the oar. 

Hut your now doubted admu^l ! then you fill'd 

The air with j»hnuts of joy, and did proclaim. 

When hoj*© had left them, and grim4ook*d despair 

Hower'd with sail-stretch'd wings over their heeds*, 

To me, as to the Neptune of the sea. 

They owed the reslitution of their goods. 

Their lives, their liberties, O, can it tlieu 

Be probable^ my lords, that he that never 

Became (he master of a pirute*s ship. 

But at the mtiinyard bung the cuptain up. 

And caused the rest to be thrown over-hoard j 

Should, aft«r ull these proofs of deftdl)- luite, 

So oft express'd against them, entertain 

A thought of t|iiiarter with them ; hut much less 

(To the peqttitual ruin of my gloiies) 

To join with them to lift s wicked arm 

Against my mother-countrii*, this Marseilles* 

Which, with my prodigal expense of blood, 

I have so oft protected ! 

iUanf. sen. What you have done 
Is granted and appluuded ; but yet know 
This glorious^ relutmnt of vour actions 
Must not so bJind our juifgujentj*. as to suffer 
This most unnstuml crime you sUmd accui*ed of, 
1*o pass unquestjon'd 

Cham, No ; you mast produce 
Reasons of more Tahdity and weight. 
To ple«d in your defence, or wc shall hardly 
Conclude you innocent 

Mant. The Itwge volume of 
Your former worthy deeds, with your experience, 
Both what, and when to do, btit makes againat you. 
i^n. For had your care and courage been tlie same 
Ah heretofore, the clangers we ore plunged in 
Had been with ease prevented. 

Mate/, seu, WlitJt have 1 
Omitted, in the power of llpsh and blood. 
Even in the birtfa to strangle the designs of 
lliis hell-bred wolf, my son ? alas • my lords, 
I am no gnd, nor like him could foresee 
His cruel tlioughts, and cursed purposes ; 
Nor would the sun at my command forbear 
To make bia progress to the niher world. 
Affording to us one condiiuml light. 
Mor could my brealh di«i>pr.4i^ those foggy mists, 
Cover'd with' which, and drtrkness of the night, 
Their navy undistern'd, mtliout resistance. 
Beset our harbour ; make not that ray fault, 
Which you in justice must ascribe to fortune. — 



P ihrrr om my ju4gr», to dffemtinf^ If^, which 
il>e jaietrv, i«t now firat tri'^trrte't frum>W t»l<1cfip^» 
>e» q/' hum.l So tbe old co^y : vh^ titcKkrii ediltjrt 

.» iht piraiew i\f AfKicm] Arek'ti b I be &1rl 
l« tH«t uC every auihur of M«.«9iiie^r'« time 

' Where w«i sbc bora T ipcak ; tcU me. 



^ to Ajitter/'— Ed,J 

avariably modernise it into A^j^a, 
Wmto \um «po#t4ly]The mftrlcrti i.iliton, •» before, 
fflif '. (Sc* note lu Yirg\n Martyr g Jict jv. 



* Horer'd with »«U »irctdi*d wlajsi over iJMr headM,] So 
JoDflon ; 

" — ^ n'er oar ht'iwi* 

Black raivttiuiifi nun, with hrr §aU ttretch'd nfhigtt 
Beady to »jink n» duwij, Ami cuvtrr n*" 

Evtry Afun tmt *(f Aiv Humomr. 
Aatl Fkuhpr : . .. , * 

"Fix hvm sad rc^i awhile your $ail'Mtretch d mnif*, 
Tbai have ontfiilpt the wind*," The ProphvUu. 

MlUon, liwi, hft« iUv t*mv ht*h\ ixprcwiSon : ibc nriglPid t» 
which lhf> are »U iDilL-bttHl, i* a Aublioie pnMi^e in the 
Faiiy Qnctfu. B, I. c. li. n. III. 

t Th%9 tiotiiMmrelatitm.] Our mWI writers rrpqneaUy ii*e 
Ihli word in \.hn*tU!K of glorlMmt vain, buAAtfid. oiteti- 

UllloilA. 



Bftt if tliat aor my fboBa- mSM^ vor ir^ 
I ha^e drHircr'd, can |aw«l with Toa« 
To Mka |«od mj lataEB^ wmd Mk ; 
Shi m tkit WtoB ■Hlpladh ooi tks I 
TlHlktffcbfai«wId7aL [Jt 

Btevf. JM. Ilofw ! m tmrnfivc ! 
Cii<)iiiro tiio canafr. [£nt J 

IMff. va. Tboa teardiK of Baa'* kevta* 
And fare daliafedar of iltt iaaoeest, 

aal laok'd oa) 



(If f o«]ier ojia^ I 
If I in tlik wat gail^, itti 
Of bf JOBW anftxpected i 
I na accoMd anjasdj ! 



iZf^ortrr MoirrmEViiXE inik m Sea Captaia. 

Bmnf, «ra. Spfak tlw Botitrca 
lliat birin^ tlwa Utber ! 

H« dota lalate jaa Cuiiy, mod desirea 

It may be uaderstood no pablic bats 

Hatb broafbt bim to 31ars«ilka ; nor sf«ks ba 

Thfi rain of bia coontiy, but aims only 

To wreak a pnrate fmmg : mad if Inaa too, 

H^ maj bare leare* and libcrtf to decide tt 

la Btajrie oombat, bell rire up good pledgvs. 

If ba fall in tbe tnal of bi« ri^t. 

We abaU wetfrb aacbor, and ao moia molaiC 

Tbie town witb boatila wrma, 

Bm*^,mm. Spaak to tba Km, 
If ia tlus inaMOoe be ^ipear to ^roa 
To wbom ^ou bring thu cballenge. 
CtpU Tis to vou. 
Bcaa/lim. IlUimtber! 
StoHtr, Con it be ? 
Btttuf.juM, Strange end prodigious ! 
Mat^, Jtn. Tboo seeit I stand unjaored : were 
Uiy Toica tbandcr, 
Jt eboijd not abake me ; tar, irbat would tb« riper ? 
Cu/»i. I1ie farareoce a father*! name may cballange* 
And duty of a ton no more renaambcr'dt 
He does ddy thee to tbe deatb. 

MaUf\ ten. Go oo< [Uead, 

Caph And ^-itli Ilia sword will prove it on thy 
Tlioti art a murderer, an atheist ; 
And tb^ idl attributes of men tum'd fufiea 
Cannot ezpnoa tbae ; tbia be arill maka good. 
If tboQ dar St prive him meeting. 

MuUf. ten. Dare I live 1 
Dare I, wheu mountains of my sins o'enrbdm tne^ 
At mv hist gasp ask for mercj ! how I bless 
Tbj coming, captain ; nerer man to me 
Arrired so opportunely ; and thy rae^^gp, 
Howerer it may seem to threateii death, 
Doas yield to me a second life in curing 
My wounded honour. Stand I yet suspected 
As ft eonfedi'Titte witb this enemy « 
Whom of sU men, against all ties of uature, 
IJti marks oat for destruimon t you are just, 
Iiiimr»rt«l Powers, and in Um» mt«rciful ; 
And It tales from my lorrow, and my shame 
For being the father to ao bad a son, 

• - mdiffnmpim 

ij0 mair JUrar Imrt, Ac] TUh pisMct is ittry iiicwTc««fy 
poistMl In lilt furtucr mtiliooi^ 



ia tbat pm an pleaaed to aithr op tbo »• 
To My eonveiaon. Blosb and r^ioat 
Aa joa an booad, mr hcciourabia lorda» 
To«r iD opiakMa of me. Not grwt Bratna 
Tbe fabwoftbo Roman blterty 
Witb Bora atiiiiiad eoostancy Miald 
; Ula liaitar aflua, for labouring to call home 
I Tba baniaii'd Tarq uina, scourged witli rods to death, 
Tban I will abew, wbc«i I take back tbe life 
Tbaa fmdigy of mankind loceared from ma. 

Ban^, sfK, Wa are aony, monaaaur Makfbrt, 
Mir oor avror^ 

witb your reaolution ; 
Bat tba di^iari^ of years and atrengtb. 



[icidfL And aio maeb 1 



iraea too tod your son, duly coaaider*d. 
We iKioold not ao axpoae yon. 

Ma^.aai. Tbm you kiU me. 
IMar fgrnanem to care me. O my lords. 
Am jtm lore bonour, and a wroug'd ntan'a fiuna, 
D«By mm not tbia 6ir and noble meaoa 
To maka ma right again to all the world. 
Sboold any ocber bot myself be chosao 
To psaiab this apoeUta'wtth deatb*, 
YoQ fob a wiacc&ed £uber of a justioe 
Tbal to alJ aAar toaaa win be recorded. 
I wiab bia itrmgtb wars centuple, lua aldtl equal 
To my ezperienea, dait in bis fall 
He may not abame mj Tictory I 1 feel 
Tbe powers and apinu of tw«n^ atrong men in aie. 
Were be witb wild fire cirded, I undaunted 
Would nttka way to hiA^ — As you do affect, air^ 
My daagbiar Tbeoericiat ; a^ you are 
My tma and andant fnmd ; as tbuo art raUaiit} ; 
And as alt lore a aoUier, aeoood me 

In this my just petition. In your looks 
I see a grant, mr lord. 

Bsaa^. am, l^oo shall o*erbear m^e ; 
And aince yon arp> so confidiait in yoor oiuiae, 
Preoara you for the combat 

Maltf, jp«. With more joy 
Tban yet I erer tasted : by tbe next ana, 
Tbe diaobedient rebel shall hear from mo. 
And ao returo in safety. [ To the Captain*} My 

good lords. 
To all Biy aerrice,— I will die, or purchaaa 
Rest to Marseilles ; nor can I make doubt. 
But his impiety is a potent charm, 
To edge my sword, and add «treagtb to my arm, 

[ KtemitL 

* Tm pmdJk tki* upoptati mitk ^milhA Roth rh, .^iium 
rrwl, re^aaisllAlf MpMUte «oa ir' olb 

a»iwhi«f Hi sitrriiif an aaibor^i Ua^i- ,,trp 

(loei ooiMiKNirae^ fw^lcd tcniu, ^^ _.,i 

wonti of oar own lo eumplri? I(. Ay^^t', 
wtnt my w«||: \mt Ctrnvter and M. Ma>^ 

mlard tu wrife Mgioiifallf, rmind thetuirh n ^ 

Mom to it, mad tbu ^nfrebtcd tkc orifiasl wxfuvm^tuu. 

f Mp dat^hirr Theocfittv ;1 Thtt icr i mt k con»i4nlU a*nl 
o a ^osilrityUable. It »ho«ld be otkMrVrd (bat n* I)ir9ii>t7 
sad the iiAintrt mre Prrnrh. Matsiticvr Mlitpi« thr PrwcU 
MKNlvof enonbcinj th^»u. The rraacr tnu»l t^ir ttil* Is 



' m§ thvu ttft f^fiant;] Tttt* U *^\i\ f« ibv 



mlatf. 

I 
cspUln who brcNigjkl the ctinUrnjtc : (ttr oihci iMrrwfra wA 
Jflivd nnt yvmug Bvnefbrt nmX MoutrrviUe. it ^|>pr4r•, Tfvm 
the pnintifti; orih« ftmaer cdliioBB, tkai the [»«ttifew*i »9i 

IIIWlprtltCNM). 



R L] 



THE UNNATTTRAL COMBAT. 



59 



ACT IL 



SCENE I. — An open Space ttyidiout the Citijf, 

Enter three Sea CapMUDS. 
Capt, He did acrept the ciialtenget then? 
Corpl. Xay more, 

overjoy 'd in't ; and, as it had been 
or inritflment to a solemn feast. 
not m evnnhat to conclude with desCfa, 
lie«rfdllT embraced it. 
Cnpt Are the article§ 
'd to on both partji ? 
Capi. Ac the father's anit, 
I much unwillingneai the governor 
lented to them. 
Ccpt, Yon are inward with 
admiral ; could you y«t never leem 
t the nature of the quarrel i^, that rend«ri! 
■on more tljon incensed, implacoMe^ 
Dst the father! 
Capf. Never j yet I have, 
IT aa roannera would give warrant lo it, 
I my beat ciiriouaneM of care observed him* 
'e aat with him in his cabin n day together*, 
lot a syllable exchanged between us. 
be did ofteD^ a5 if inward grief 
raelaocboly at that instant would 
;e up hia rital spihts, and now and then 
IT or two* as in deriiion of 
toughneaa of his nig^ged temper, would 
DO hia hollow cheeks, which but once felt, 
iden flaah of fury did dry up ; 
byJDg then his hand upon biji sword, 
roold murmur, but yet so «a I oft heard him, 
^m11 meet, cruel father, yes, we sball ; 
n I'll exact, for every womaniah drop 
»now &om tbeee eyre, a striet accompt 
Dch more firom thy heart 
Copt. 'Tie woodroua strange. 
Capi. And peat my spprehension. 
dipt. Vet what nmlces 
gairacle greater, when from the maintop 
Ti deecned, all thoofr^ts that do concern 
leif laid by, no lion, pinch'd with hunger, 
ea hanueff more fiercely from hh den, 
he cornea on the deck ; and there bow wisely 
ivee directiotis, and bow stout be is 
I executions, we, to admiration, 
been eyewitnesses : yet be never aunt's 
DOoty when 'tis made ours : but ns if 
tanker, in the purchase of the prey, 
-hted him much more than the reward, 
riU made known, he does retire himself 
B private contemplation, no joy 
MS*d by bim for Hctory. 

Enter Malefortjuhmv. 
IWpt. Here he comes, 
rith more cheerful looks than ever yet 
him wear. 

ief'.jun. It was long since resolved on, 
nut I atagger now [in'ft]. Msy the cause, 
rofoea me to this unnatural act, 

lenr aef with him in Au cabin, &c.] Tlii» IwiiiOriit 
tt espmaiaic cnnceakct rcirnlmfiit. dcierve* to b« 
!«d by evcrjr rc-atfcr ot f*9^c mhA )i>d^in«nL Coitarta. 
r mmet t ttayjffrntmf \\f\'<t]. In t\ui*M copy, * sy|. 
It drupt ont^Mrhkk r«ti(tvrxth« Jtiic quite iiiimetrke«l 



Be buried iu everlasting silence. 

And I find rest in death, or my revenge ♦ 

To either I stand equal* Pray you, gentleman. 

Be rh&ritnblc^ in your censures of me. 

And do not eniertain a false belief 

That 1 am mad, for undertaking that 

Which must be, when effected, still repented. 

It adds to my calamity, that 1 have 

Discourse* and reason, uid but too well know 

I can nor live, nor end a wretched life, 

But both wsys I am impious. Do not, tlierefore, 

Ascribe the perturbation of my soul 

To a servile fear of death : 1 oft have view'd 

All kinds of his inevitable darts, 

Nor are they temble* Were I condemned to leap 

From the cloud-coverM brows of a steep rock, 

Into the deep i or Curtios like, to fill up. 

For my country's safety, and an after name. 

A bottomless abyss, or charge tlirougb fire. 

It could not BO much shake me, &s th* encounter 

Of this day's single enemy. 

1 Capt. If you please, sir, 
1 ou may shon it, or defer it. 

Malefljun, Not for the world : 
Vet two tilings I entreat you : the first is, 
Voull not enquire the difference between 
Myself and him, which as a failier once 
I honoured » now my deadliest enemy ; 
The last is, if 1 fall, to bear my body 
Far from this place, nnd where you please inter iL — 
f should say more, but by hi^ sudden cooling 
I em cut off. 

Fnf^r &EL\upoRT Junior and MoNTasvii.ij(, teading in 
M^LEfORT seuier ; bEi.<:iARDE J oltmcing, u;ith cihen^ 

Bmu/.jun. Let me, sir, have the honour 
To be your second. 



I have DO gmt cDtiAclrnceln ihr gcnuineiiesiotwhit I hsve 
inserted between brackcis: it ii hantilfia, biiwevcr, tod 
•erve*, •• FilaiJiff sa>», ii»fill n pM !ih wrU hp ■ better. 

• It addt to mj/ catamitv, that J haw 

DiKoarK amd rfoum] U b very UlfliruJt lo detemiine 
(lie precife meaalog which our ■ncesiors gnvc to dijuamrxf ^ 
ot to dutiofslsh me tine wbicti aepnratcK) U fmm rfOMttru 
Per!h«ps Jt indicatefl a mart rapid dcdiicikrn of r.>nii4qiit Dcea 
from prpn)li>ct, tbui was «DppuH>d lo hv etterttd by reu- 
froo :— bat I rpeak wiih ht^jiiiaiion. The :icutt GlativilJi* f»y«, 
" The act of the miod which cfmiierift pro]ioitiiiuii»f ^ind 
dcdocctb vonctntliMiii from themt *he H^hool* called di«cvi<rji^« 
and we BhaJLufit miscall It, Jr we usutw it retufm/' Whut- 
ever be Ihe scnBe,Mt fi^tnifnfly appearit in our nlci virUei^, 
by whom it ia utually coiipUd wiih rmium or Juffffmrntt 
which Ian thoukt »ee»n to be Ihe more proper word. Thui 
h> the Cit^ Madam ; 

" Sof h a» want 

BiMcourm and judgement, and tbronsb weskncss f*ll, 
May merit men'f efrnipaaflioDi.'' 
Again, in the Ctt^eontb: 

" Why »hfiakl a man that 1mi dieemirae and reaatm. 
And kncpvia how near he h>»e» ttl in thctc Ibingt, 
Covi-t ro have hii ^i>he» Mltined t" 
Tiic reader rcmembcrt Ihe e^icUmnUun of flamlt'i, 
" Oh beaven ! * bcaat Ihal watiiJi divconrw o/resisAn, &r. 

"Th|«," layi WarburtoD, who conirivc^i tu bliTuitcr with 
mere incexmity than ntnaJty fnM« t& the lot of a ciJininfnU- 
lor, *' it Ancly eaprefaed. and with a phllo«(>pl«iral exartiiiitt ; 
Bcasta want Bot muon,*' cihlj \$ a nvwdi9cfMten,%} " but the 
^ieemwee qfreamm ; i. c. the regulHr inrcmti| one (hir>g 
from aooitier by the atalttiirtce of nnivcrjiBl*"! DhcvnrKi 
tif rc»mn n m poor and perplexed a phra^e, thai wit luim 
rviiord for Uie " philfwophical vx;Bcrne»" of ShukAftenre, I 
»hould diBDia* it al once, for what I tjelievc (o t>e bis genuine 
lanjl^uage ; 
'* O beavea t • bcsit that wtnU dlacoorse and reaion," 4tc. 




40 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



[Act U.\ 



^Sontr. With your pardintf »ir, 
I tnust put in for thnt, since our Iried fmndsbtp 
HotK Uiited from our infancy. 

Hfljs- 1 have wrrpd 
lTnd«»r your command, and you UtT© seen in« fi?yht, 
And hiuidsomelv, thougli I say it ; »ntl if now *» 
At this doirnright pkmt\ I may but hold ywuf curds, 
I'll not |»uJl dowTi lU«? sidft. 

jVfi/W. 1^. I rest much hound 
To vour HO nohle ofFprj*, and I hop© 
f>lijtll find your pjmloTi, ihoujf^h I now refiinn them } 
For which I'll \ield strong reaaons, but tm hrielly 
Ai» thv time wild ^re me Wre. For me to borrow 
f Thttt am supposed die weaker ) nny aid 
rrnm tlip aasistiuicp of my *i*cond's sword, 
Mi^ht writ© me dovm m the bhick list of ttiose 
Thtit hjivi* nor fire nor spirit of their own ; 
But djitv, luid do, as they deriv*^ their coum^e 
From his exjimpli?, oo wboHe help nud valour 
They wholly do de]H»nd. Lt^t this suffic e 
In my excuse for that. Sow, if you plea^^ 
On both parts, to n-tith to yonder mount, 
Where you, a,s in a Itonum thealre, 
May »ee tlie bloody difference determined, 
Your fRVour^ ineet my wisht«». 

Miit^'f. Jvn, 'Ti» approved of 
By me ; and I conuoand yoo [To hit CWplutiff] lead 

the way, 
And leave me to my fortune. 

Beauf^jun, I would glndly 
B« ■ spectator { &ince 1 nm ifenied 
To be an actor ) of each blow and thrust. 
And punctually ohserr© tUem. 

MiiUf.Jun, V'ou shall hftvo 
All vou desire J for in a word or two 
1 mu<it make hold to entertain the time 
If he give stiffra^ to it. 

Mfilcf, ten. Yes, I will ; 
I'll bt^iir thee, aiul theu kill thee : m\y, fan*well. 

MntfJ.jun. Emhroce wiiJj love oti Wtli sidea^iuid 
Lenve deudly hate and ftjry* [with ui 

Maief\ sen. From ihi» plnce 
You neVr shdl see both living-. 

fiftg. W hat's |>aAt help, is 
B«yond prevention. 

[Thetf ttHbrace m Itoth ii<i#i, and take Ifttw 
aet^rattti of the fatktr and Mm* 

Molef* if II. Now we are alone, »if ; 
And thou hast liberty to unlotnl tlic burtlien 
Which tlmu gnmnVt uiidt't. S|>eak thy |^ef«. 

Matff^Jun. I shall, »ir ; 
Btit in a perjilexM form and method, which 
\nM only can inierjiret ; Would you had not 
A giulty knowledge in your bosom, of 



At th, 



^mmit, i may tmt htttd jftmr rnrdM, 

n Itvc *lkle,] i, «•♦ I'll mtl injiirr ynnr 

'rti«#ton tiic»i»« M Ut« Crttmt Duke iif 



** Voa, Pnfj- yon pantc « Ht*l<f. 

If I hotd yuiir c«nl*t f t^UmU puU dotfin the tU^, 

1 Kfii ii'tt g*»tti »t U>« grtme/' 
Tltt; itllu*t<iri \t (u 4 [»4ri> nt < nr^tt ; to «rl^ Mp a f^, WM to 
b«[*niTic |i4ritier!i iti « ifiim' ; to j>»iH «f phtfik down « ttdt 
(iot Ii4ii|> ili«r!tv lormit an? fiHiml in our i»kl |^4)>) w*i to 
iM'i 4«iii«i it* Imm l>y iinormicr or tr«4cli«ry. Thtit, In th* 
Faraan't tLrUl^j : 

AnU Id thi> M 

> ' ' ■. tJiko Iwr Mrt, 

rh(.r I uil! rtinn- It, 
" Site wm |r/U( A dowK a mde, alie docs «al tat It** 



Tlie lan^a|9;e which you forcfi me to delircr. 

So I were nothin§r ? A a you are m> fatiier, 

I hend my knee, »nd, uncompeird. profes* 

My hf»', and all thsil's raiiie, to Imi your gift; 

And that in a s^jn'** duty I sfujid bound 

To lay this head l»enealli yo«r f<pet, and run 

All desjxrate hazards for your ease a«*l safety : 

But lliia ronfest on my pari, 1 rise up, 

And not a« with a fatiier. (all re^rtect, 

Ijove, f*?or, and reverence caat off,; but aa 

A witked man^ 1 thus expostulate with yotu 

Why Itnve you done that which 1 dare not epiiik, 

And in the uction chanp^ed the humble aliaptt 

Of mv obedience, to reht^llious rage, [ina^ 

Atid insolent pride 7 and with shut eyes coiisti«ia*d 

To nm my bark of honour on a tshelf 

I must not see, nor, if I «uw it, shun it ! 

In my wr^irngs nature auffera, and looks buc k i Rtfd , 

And munkind tremblei to see me pursue 

Wliat beasts would fly frooi. For when I advatiee 

This sword, aa 1 must do, against your head« 

Piety will weep, and filial duty mourn. 

To iee their altars which you built up in me. 

In a moment raxed and ruin'd. •That you eouhl 

(From ray ^eved soul I wish it) but pruduea, 

To qualiiy. not excu»i% )our deed of horror. 

One seeming reason, that I might fix here. 

And move no further ! 

Mairf, mn. Have I so far lost 
A father's power, tliat I mutit give accoupt 
or my actions to my son ? or must I pkMd 
As a fearful prisoner at the bar, while hie 
That owes hij^ beinp^ to me sits a judf^ 
To censure that, which only by myself 
Ought to hi^ i|ueatinn'd ? mountains aooner fall 
Beneslh their valleys, and tlie lofty pin© 
Pny homage to the bmnible, or what else is 
Pre|KMiterous in nature, ere my tongu« 
In one short syllable yields satisfaction 
To any doubt of thine ; nay, though it were 
A certuinty disdain mg argameot I 
Since, though my deeds wore hell's blark livtry, * 
To thee they should appear triumphid robn^. 
Set off iR-ith glorious honour, thou Imog fmund 
I'o Si*e with my eyes, and to hold tliiit rt-a^nn. 
That Lakes or birth or fa-shion irofn my will. 

Mulef.jufu Tliia sword divides thai slaviah knot 

Mate/, fen. It cannot : 
It cannot, wretch ; and if tliou btit remember, 
From whom thou hadst this spirit, thou dar*«t not 

hope It. 
Who train'd thee up in arms but I ! Who Isuflit 

thee 
Men were men only when they durst looJt dows 
With scorn on death and danger, and eonteniA*d 
All oppoaitjon, till plumed Victonf 
Had madci her constant stand upon tlii«r heliurtal 



• Thnt ^im ctmid 4e.j O thtt, &c. TliU amli^Wva af di« 
slEti nf the optative ibiprJc-cUon b common to idl oar «M 
draiiMiUt*- 



— — riWplaiB«l Victvrv 



ttnd Rvo^ff Asr tvmahmi §tand upim thtir hrimett '] lliii 
noble ttstAKf •K'vius to liav« been copied by JMiltun^ wtw 

"I! I ^I'll ihr iky, ■nd «n I 

S^l ' Trf;" 

And« la an^-i- :,'''- 

" I : !• fliln ti«nil Victory 

>..i r,,;.;> r^iru/'d." ■ — 

Thr ^ ImiU *^*^<*Llt vt M ulcain livrr ouiirvd It truly i 
ami «buve all cottinimrtiillan. CoxJTKa. 



;L] 



THE UNNATUliAL COMBAT. 



It 



'ndrr mjr shield thou hast fought •• seemnslj 
the yomag niflet, corer'd witli the wingv 
her finre dflm, leanu h<»w and where to prey, 
that is manly id th«e, 1 call mioe ; 
^what is weak and wotniuujib^ thine own. 

''hat I gnWt iuiev tbou art proud, ungruteful, 
LtDg to contend with ljtm» to wbotn 
aou ift dup, I will taki^ from tbenp* 
tbereforev for extr«)nutie«« and eKpect not 
cofT^frt tbee as a son, hut kill tbfw 
>rpent swoMen with poi^n ; who autririiig 
* — je^r, with mf«ctioua br««thf 

ier ttU things near blm« like itself, 
Nay, now my anj^r** up^ 
roMiid Tirgina kne^^hng ut mv teet, 
ith one general cfy howlijig /or mercy, 
t-fiot redeem thee. 
}kf,Jwu Thou incensed Power, 
forbear thy thunder { let me have 
in my rereoge, if from the grave 
[j iDother— — 
Malef, ten* Thou shalt never name her more. 

iKJktMoiiT junlpr, Mo9rniJivtLi.i!, RirLOAfif»v. wwd the 
Arer Siea Captwns, Appear on tht IVIf/unL 

BMiuf.jun* They are at it* 

f Cu}d. That thrust was put strongly home, 

Mtmtt. But with more stieiigth aroided. 

B*ig. Well come in ; 
[e has dnrwn blood of him yet : well done, old 

t Crtpt. That was a strange tniss. [cock. 

Beaufljuru That a certain hit. 

He*a &l]en» the da? is ours! 
ipC The admiral's sfain* 
. Tbe father is victorious ! 
1^ UR haste 
o gmtuUte bts conqueist, 
1 C<Pj;tti We to mourn 
ke fortune of the eon. 
Beaut\jun^ W^ith utmovt speed 
Ac4|ijaiot the governor with tW goo<l success, 
That liemay eutertainf to bis fUUioerit, 
Tbe father of his country's peace and siifety. 

[TA/v rrffrf. 

Malrf. iM. Were a new life hid in viah mangled 
limb, 
I would search, and End it : and bowe*er to soma 
1 may seem cruel thus to manntxe 
ITpoo this senseless flesh, 1 glory in it t — 
That I^have power to be unnatural , 
Is my security ; die all my lears, 
And waking jealousies, which bave so long 
Been my tormentors \ there's now no suspicion : 
A fivt which I alone sm conscious of, 
Clin nei'er be discovered, or the cause 
That caU'd this duel on, I being above 
All perturbations ; nor is it in 
The power of fate, again makn me wretched. 
i9«-«nirr BEAPFOiiTjtii»>r, Montr etjlle, Bklgarde, 
and the thrt* Sea Cuptams. 

Bmuf. Jan. All honour to the conqueror 1 wbo 
dares tax 
My &iend of treachery now ? 

(Pope oaei Ihc mme flcure in lli« Otlyitry 0, lUx. 
** AaaJUar to hU ton, riyiwji b«ftn 
The pl iii f created beJmi voA pointed ipesrt 
With thkldA IndcDied deep in gMoas warm." Eb.) 




BeJ'^. I itm very glad, sir, [mucb, 

You have sped so well ; hut I must tell vou thus 
To put Tou in mind rhiit a low t^hb must follow 
Your high swoirn tide of hnppijie«s, you have pur- 
Tliis honour at n high price. [chased 

Mutrf. '1 is, Br>l garde, 
Above all estmintiori, and a little 
To be exalted with it cannot savour 
Of arrogance. That to diis arm and sword 
Marseilles owes the freedom of her fears, 
Or that my loyahy, not long tioce eclipaed, 
Shines now more bright tlian ever, are not things 
To be lamented : though, indeed, they ma^ 
A ppear too dearly bought, my AiUing glones 
Beuig made up again, and cemented 
With ft son's blood. Tis true, he was my son. 
While he was worthy ; but when ht- hhook nfl' 
His duty lo me, (which my tond imhils;*<n(»% 
Upon submission, might p'rhaps have twifchniVl,) 
And grew his country*s enemy, I look a on him 
As ft stranger to my fi«nih% und a traitor 
Justly prescribed, ond he to be rewarded 
11] at could bring in his head. I know in this 
That I amceniure*! rugged, and austere, 
That will vouch»nfe not one sad sigh or tear 
t'pon his slaughter 'd body : but I rest 
Well satisfied in myself, being assured 
That extraordinar)^ virtues, when they soar 
Too high a pitch for common sights to judge of. 
Losing their proper splendour, are condemn 'd 
For most remarkable vires*. 

Beauf.Jun. Tis too true, sir, 
In iJie opinion of the multitude ; 
But for myself, that wouhl t>e held your friend, 
And hope tu know ynu by u neiirer name, 
They are na tliey deserve, reoeivtd* 

Miilef, IVIy duughttir 
8lmtl iliank ^^ou for the favour. 

}leouf],juii. I con wish 
Nu huppiuesa beyond it. 

1 CapL Shall we have leave 
To hear tlie corpse of our dead admiral^ 
Ai he enjoin'd us, from the coast 1 

MaieJ\ rrovidtrd 
Tbe articles agreed on be observed, 
And you depart hence with it, making oath 
N ever hereafter, but ba frieuds, to loucb 
Upon this shore* 

1 CapL We'll faithfiillv perform it, 

MiiUf. Theu as you plt^ase dispose of it ; ^tis an 
object 
That 1 could wish removed, llisaitin die with him I 
So (wt he ban my charily. 

1 Capt. Me shnll have 
A soldier's funeral. 

[77/r Captain* hmr th^ body afftdth md m«$ie* 

MaUj, Farewell! 

Jkuuf.jutu These ritw 
Paid to the dead, the conoueror that survives 
Must reap the harvest of his bloody labour. 
Sound all loud instruments of joy and trium|di, 
And witli all circumataiiee and ceremony, 
Wait on tlje pafron of our liberty. 
Which be at all parts merits. 

* For mo$t r^mtttkuMt tsicf**] Hemarhahle Liul In Mm' 
iinfer'A tirtu' n m«vre (ll^iiiriLi:! K>Qn(l, and a tmne Mppro' 
priale mctinlnf, ihtn U b^»r1^ al prc»rnt« With him it eun^ 
•tatiUy sUad* for inr^rMiiK,hi|il}ly »ir1kiti}:, urobM-rvMbte In 
or itilit it will bn well to take aij^kc 



■ 



•If 



THE irNNATURAL COMBAT. 



[ActUl 



1^1 ale f, T mm liononr'd 
Beycmd my hopes. 

limuf^Jun, 'Tia short of jour d«aertJi. 
L«'uJ OQ : oh, sir, you muat ; vou ar« too moilesU 
j^Kjtunt uiih laud 



SCENE U^A IttKm in M*i.rniiiT'» Hmtu. 
Entrr Tiikocrixe, Page, und Wauing* Wtmn?n. 

Thtoc, Talk not of comfort ; I iiin botJj way* 
wretched, 
Al*d io rlisilracted with my douhU ami fiMU«, 
I kno/vr not where to fix my tiopea. My lot! 
I» oertain in n fuiher, or a Wotlier, 
Or both ; such is tli** crucUy of my fiite, 
And not to b« aFoided. 

1 IW^m. You must bi»Jir it# 
With patienc€% madam* 

f Worn. And whnr'TS nut in jotl 
To he preroiited, shotjht not ciiuie a sorrow 
Wliich eannut iiplp lU 

Pttf*e. Fear nut my brave Uinl, 
Yulir fiohle father^ ti^htijig iji to him 
Fumiliar uh i>nljiig. I If ciui teuch 
Our modem duellisu how to cleave a hutiotu 
And in a new way, neTer y«t found out 
By o\d Canmxii*. 

1 Warn, May he be ?ictorioafl, 
And punish disobedience in his aoti ! 

Wiiio»e deiub, in riHison, should at no fxirt move you. 
lip beinf^ but half your brother, and tUe nfarne*!* 
Whirb tliat might chulloiijfe from you, forfeited 
IJy hi« unpicjUM pur|J080 to kill hiiii, fnmi whom 
Jfe recvived life. [A ihmtt within. 

2 lVi*m. A i^enenil shout — 
1 WiTm, Of joy. 

Page. Look uj>, d4»ar lady ; sad uewa neref ciuno 
Usher'd with loud apjilaui«. 

Thfoc, I stand prfparH 
1 endure the shock of it. 

Enter Usber. 

U§h, I am out of breafh, 
With running^ to deliver first — 

7W What? 

C*A» We are all made. 
My lord baa won iIihi dny ; your brother's «lam ^ 
The pimte-i gone : nnd by tbe governor, 
And sTates, aod all the mi*u iif war, ha is 
Brouj^ht homu in triumph ; — nay, no musing, pmy me 
For my pood news hereafter. 

ThftH?, Heaven is just f [meet bim< 

VJt. Give thanks at leisure; make all baste to 
] could wish I wer» a Lorsv, that I might bear you 
7'o bim upon my back. 

Prtge, Thou art in ass. 
And this is a sweet burthen. 

Uthn Peace, you cmck-rope I [EAfutit. 



SCENE Uh—A Str^L 

L*tnd mimr. Knttr Montiieville, Bkloakdc, Bicau- 
I^ORr mnior, Beaviorj J nniar ; M AhtfonJ t fntimv&d 
hit yiosTAJosi, CnA>iosT, and L.vNOUit. 
Fkauf. $ftu All honours we can pre you, and 
rewards. 

Though all that's rich or precbtts in Marseilles 

• M^ old Caransa.] .Vr ^A,? CuardUtn, Vol. IV. |». 174. 



Were laid down at yonr feet, can bold no weight 

With jrotir deserrtngs : let me jclory in 

Your action, a» if it were mir»e owii j 

And have the honour, with the arms of lov«. 

To embrace the ^reat performer of a deed 

Tnni«4>iidtng* all this country eer could boatt oC 

Mont Imagixie, noble sir, in wbm we mmy 
Kxptvnn our tlnuikfnlness, and ml wamuMvA 
It (iball be freely gmnted. 

Cham» He's an enemy 
To goodness and to virtue, that dares think 
There's any thiii^ within our power to gir* •, 
Which you in justice may not boldly cballengti. 

Lan^ And as your own ; for we will ever ha 
At your devotion. 

MaUf^ Much honour*d sir, 
And yuu, my noble lonls, t can say only, 
Tbe greatness of your favours overwbeiiita m»^ 
.^nd like too lar|jpe a sail, for the small bark 
Of my poor merit«» smk^ me, Tlnat 1 stnnd 
Tpright in your opinions, is an honour 
Kxceeding my deserts, I having done 
Nothing but what in duty I stcwd Hoimd to : 
And to expect a recompense were buaMe. 
flood deeds being ever in thcmsrlv«*A reftmrdfd* 
Yet since your hberal bounties tell m« ihat 
r may, with vour allowance, be a suitor. 
To vou, my lord, I am an huttible one. 
And must ask that, which known » I fiwr you wUl 
Censure me over bold. 

Bmuf. sen. It must be aometltmg 
Of a strange nature, if it find Iran bm 
Denial or delay. 

Matff. Thus then, my lord, 
Since you encoumge me : You are happy in 
A worthy Sron, and all the comfort that 
Fortune Las left me, is one duoghter ;, riLiw. 
If it may not appear too much preiumption. 
I'o Meek to matcn m? lowness with your hei^gbL, 
I nhould desire (and if I may obtain it, 
1 write nil ultra to my largest hojiei) 
Sbe mfiy in your opinion be thought worthy 
To be receive*! into your family, 
And married to your sion : thetr years are ecjual. 
And their desires, I think, too; she la not 
lls^ioble, nor my state contemptible. 
And if you think me worthy your alliaciaA, 
Ti§ all 1 do aspire to. 

Ikauf.junAou demand 
That which ^^-ith all the service of my life 
I should have labuur'd to obtain from vou. 

sir, wliy are you slow to meet *u fair 

And noble an uifer ' con France shew a i^irgio 
That may be ]>anillerd witli her? is she not 
The pbo^nix of the time, the fairest star 
In tlie bright sphere of women 1 

Bmttf, mn. lie not rapt so : 
Tliougfj I dislike not what is motion^, yet 
In what so near concerns me, it is 6t 

1 fcliouM proceed with judgment. 

Entttr Usher, TnFocnmit, Page, aud Wmtitig Women. 

Ileauf, jun* Here she comes ; 
Look on her with imfmrtial eyes, and then 
Let enrv, if it can, nume one graced feature 
In which she is defective* 



* Tk«re*i any thing $fithin tmr peifvr lis elsr»l 1W ukl 
capy loconrctly rcedt, Thtrt^a o^ eilier fM^Ao. «m1 la 
the ne^t tpeeelt, optrmhelm for onrndMaia-^lie lui |« w 
coitiniou ■ mo(\t of cxptestloa, (but 1 sboiikl acii haw ear- 
TceUsi H, if «<aA* h«d pot Imific^ittrty Mk»W«tl, 



] 



THE I \NAjrHAL COAlllAT. 



IS 



WtleooMgirl! 

i thoQ eome to greet my ndoiy 

I nbte Uiibit ? tbu vhew'd weU 

J hxher wu a prisoner, and suftijei t«>d ; 

him taith and lojahy are admirea, 
ma doubled, tn your outward gHnrienta 
to «X|irM4 the joy you feel wtrbiri t 
iM yxm witli more curioume^ iiud cure 
Jto temple lo be made a bride, 
w, wben id) men's eyea are fixt upon you, 
lid appe«r to eotertAin the honour 
* detOMidiug to you, and in which 
» m equal abare. 

Hearipn has my thanks, 

haittilitv paid for your fair fortune, 

IT duty Viada me ; yet a little 

I a brother** losa, however wicked, 

a tiJtw famiUar to our aex 



, excune. 
Tlioiii an deceiTvd. 
g, was a blemiah to tliy beantiea, 
• death gires ornament and la^itre 
n^ections, bnt that thev are 
attdy rare, that they iidmit not 
adilition. Ha ! liere*«* yet a priul 
tear ou Uiy cheek ; how it take» from 
Bit bapptnesa ! wtih a father'^ lips 
Balieft lipii, ru kisa it off, 
i no more remember 'd. 
VoQ forgai, air,^ 
enise wa aro in* ' 

Tis well coaaider'd ; 
who b th« owner of a treasura 
i wtlim, bat without oS>ac«, 
J in the glad posaession of it? 
t in your exrellence beget wondrr^ 
Bva, that looking^ on the daughter, 
faelf in the imagination 
aweet pleaAurea, and allow 'd delighta, 
jrom the mother, who still trres 
er perfe<!t model ; for ahe had 



Such emooth aod higbHbrch'd browa, aiieh aparkhng 

wye*. 
WluDae eTKy gkooe alcxred Cupid^a emptied qaiver. 
Such ruby upa, — and auch a hivety bloom* , 

Diadaining all adulterate aida of art. 
Kept a |>erpetuAl apring upon her face, 
As Deatli himaelf laineoted, being forced 
To blaat it with hia paleness : and if now [y«u, 
Her brigbtnesa dimnrd with aorrow, take and pleiu.D 
Think, thiak, young lord, whan ihe anpean benelf« 
Thia veil r«mored, in her own natural purenMBi 
How jar t^he will transport you* 

Btauf.Jun, Did she need tt^ 
The praiae which you (and well deaerred) gire toher. 
Mnat of necesaity raiae new deairea 
In one indebted more to yeara ; to me 
Your worda are but a« ail poitr'd <m a fire, 
That flames already at the height. 

Mairf, No more ; 
I do beliere you, and let me from you 
Find so much credit j when I make her yours, 
I do poaaesa you of a gift which I 
With much unwillingaeaa part from. My gcwd lordti 
Forbear voor further trouble ; give me Wvei 
For on tte sudden I am indiafiosed 
To retire to ray own bouse, and reet : to-morrow. 
As you command me, I will be your guest, 
And having deck'd my dtiughier like herself, 
You shall hare further conference, 

BMuf\ jeri. You are master 
Of your own will : but fail not. III expect yoa* 

I^atef, Nay, I will be excused ; I rauat part iR-itb 
'jou. \^To yiiiHw^ Beauj'art and the rfwt. 

My dearest Tbeocrine, give me thy band, 
1 will support thee, 

Thet^, Vou gripe it too hard, air, 

Mal4ff. Indfed I do, but have no further end in it 
But love and tendemejis, luch oh I may challenge, 
And you must grant. Thou art a tweet one ; yes, 
And to b-e chert4b''d. 

Thwoc, Mciy 1 still deserve it ! 



ACT III. 



I.— ^ Baa^ttflijig Haam m Beaufort's Hirtij#, 
urtfrr BtAUroaT leriitir, and Stewnni. 
len. Have you been croj^jful 7 
A ilb my beat endeavours. 
brisgatomacbs, there's no want of meat, air, 

fcOQ^inus viands are prepared, 
D kind«i of appetitea. 
s, "1« well. 
•fble fumtah^d with full plenty, 
I of friends to eat it : but with this caution, 
MSt hare my house a common inn, 
men that come rather to devour me. 
vnaait Omif service. At this time, too, 

aerious and solemn meeting, 
it have my board pestered with shadows*, 



} kopt «•« hfw^ pnffT'ii wtfh iiti4dowi,J (t 
_ 1, flvtarcb nty», m • m«rk of polkleness.ti) 
led foeM kouw iltJii he \f aa al lltHTiy ti> biliig a. 

buf«l* TWiw rrkn<}fl Uiv UuitiJitiii cmUH 
\hr^,} « lenii wltlcli Mansiinjor h^j \try hap 



That, under other roen*» protection, break in 
\\ itliout invitement. 

Aitffr. With ycjUT favour then, [kuowledpi* 

You must double your giiurd, my lord, for on my 
Ibere are some ao abaqj set, not to be kept out 
fly a file of musketeent : and 'ti« less danger, 
ril undertake, to fitJind at pu»h of pike 
With an enem)' in a breach, that mid^rmined too, 
And the cannon pluyiiig on it, tlnm to Btop 
One littqjy. your ])erpetual guest, from entrance, 
When ilie dresser, the cook a drum, thunders, Come 
The ierviee wiU be lost elsef ! [on, 



• ^nd Much a larrtp bloum,] For ihi« rvwilne wr arc lu 
dtblcd lo Mp, M, M»mmi, Alt Ihc former eililioht rvwl 
^aieit. wliich iIr' cuiidiwtinn lim* of ihi» bcautiml speech 
incoufeflNblv prtivi? l"t>*? a iai-i»riii(. 
T H hrn ihi' ttrnttrr^ tft* *oiik» drum, ikundtrt. Come <m, 
Thf nervuf tciU be tmt r/jM .'J U wa» fonni^tly cu»loin*r> 
for iht c«*»k, when rtinricr HrtB rt'*ft>, t«> kuuck on llie 
ilrt'*9cr wUli hU kinfr, h\ w*y of fttimmHuUig the mt- 
VJitilt Id cjirrv ll lulo tkc h«U ; lu tliln ibertt arc uiattv allu- 
»i«UK In the Mterrf Mef^gar*, Old Reett layt, ♦• Harkl 



J 



w^ 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



[Act] 



Bfuuf\ ten. What ii he ? 

Stttv. As toll a trencherman*, llmt is movt certain. 
Am e'ef demoliiih'd pye-fortilicftUon 
At ioon ts b*lter*d ; and if the rira of hit belly 
Were not made up of » much tougher ttuff 
Thiui \m buflr iurtin^ there were no defitooe 
A^^iuMt the ("^jur^e of bis guto: yoQ needs snust 
He's fmi»ent for hi* enting. pcnow him, 

heauf, i€»* Ut Beljjnrdf ? 

^Vu% Thp sami' ; one of the adi»tni]*iicaatcimtain«. 
Who sweart, tiiere beinp no vrar» nor hop© 01 nny^ 
line only drillLng is to eat d»routlv, 
And to be ever driokini^— lliai'i aliow'd of 
liut they know not where to get it, ll>en>*a the spite 
on't. 
Bmm/I ten. The more their misery ; yet, if you 
For this dfly put him offX* [can, 

Stfw. It is beyond 
The indention of nuui. 

Bfauf, tetu No : — say this only, [Whisper t Ui him* 
And lis iVom me ; you sppreJieiul me ? 
Stai\ Yea, sir, 

Iktiuf, ten. But it must be done gntvely* 
Stetc, NGver,doubt me, sir. 

BmuJ\ un. Well dine in the great room, but let 
the mu!%ick 
And bannuet^ hi? prppnred hisre, [Erit 

Suw, This will miike hj«a 
Ij0»e his dinner at the leant, ami tliat wil! vex him, 
Ae for the sweetmeats, when they ore trod under 

foot, 
l/et bim tnVe hiA share with the pagee mid the 
Or flonunble in the rushes, p«ickit^d. 

Enter Biluiauvsu 

B^ftg, 'Tis near twelve ; 
1 k»>ep a wfltt'li within me never misses. 
Save ihee, master steward ! 

Stftv. Yoo are moat welcome, sir. 

Betg. Has thy lord slept well to night ? I come 
to enquire. 
I liitd a foolisn dream, that, against my wil!^ 
Carried me from my liodging, to learn only 
How be*K diJipOKed, 

Sltu\ He's in most perfect hi*ftlih» sir, 

Reig. Let me hut see htm (i"^d heartily at dinneTt 
And I'll believe 9o too \. for from that ever 
I midce a certain judg:ment, 

tliey ki9M:k to the drtBurJ' Svrvanlj wen* not <hcn eiN 
lu%^'f<1, a* ml prtattil, lu rr«<ini-lit llie kitclu'ti, lj>9l thcv flhculd 
Inifrfcre witli Ibc niotnciilu'iii I'oacrrns of the cook. Mr. 
HtHi Mys OiAt ttik* practice '* wtt ointki^vd in ihv Taintlv 
of Lonl Falrfix" f «i»d douMless in tlut of mjiny uthera) 
" after the civil w>r»; in thai nublemnnV onleisi for the 
icr\';int» of tiif huaAcliokl , to iht* rullawint; : 77m« must he 
UHtTH to Ihe drtsaer, Gentlemen ami >eomvd, to the drrtaer.** 

* SC(.w«nl. /4itan a trmehervutn, A.c.] Tnil,\n ilie Ian- 
fiucc «f our old writers, itirjiiil vtotit, or rntlti-r bnpld iiad 
f»rlcM : bat »hcy atuiiicd tht word (nf wbich ibi-y teem 
fwhl) Ilia v,rtm v.ulrly of »entti%. A fall mtm q/' hi* hand§ 
wai a ^real rt^jliU-r ; « laU man of hit tonyutt « Urcniioiis 
apcaker ; ainJ ■ tnli tnntt qf hUtrmrhrr, or, ma nbove, a tnlt 
trtftchi^fHan, a heart v let-der* lii?i<»neva of iIicm? |)hra«c4 
uccur »o frvt^iirutly, diat it woidd be t wane of timc! to 
dwell njHitt them. 

f f1 fto >\<cnr, 4ic^ fio the old eopv ; the modern edltori 
rvad t*t>c4tnr, than which nn4hin|; can be- rriHur^ bijndlcioiu. 
J BeMiif. ten. The tnortt their miterif ; j^, {f^9ft can, 
^ar iki» da^ put hhm of] 'fhb has been hUherto ^iveu 
a* SB iMperfccI tpercb; why, il \t difficult tc» imajj^knr. 

$ — — — ^ but let the mwric 

Ami banqatt Jwpfirpared here.] That b, ibe d«faerl. See 



Slew. It holds surely 
In your own constitution* 
Belg. And in all men's, 
Tis the best symptom ; let us lose no tioii 
Delay is daui^erou^* 

Stew. Troth, air, if I mis:bt. 
Without offence, deliver what my lord baa 
Committed to my tniAt, I abaU roceiri^ it 
As a special favour. 

/Jr%, ^Ve'll see it, and discourse, 
A» tljt? proverb saySf for health iiake. afier 
Or rother after supper ; willingly then 
111 walk a mile to hear thee*, 

Steu\ Nay, good air, 
1 will be brief and pttby. 
Beig. Prilbee be »o. 
Sttw, He bid me say, of all bis guesta, ihsl be 
Stands mosit affected to you, for the &eedo«i 
And plainness of your manners. lie ne'er obsaiirf 
To trvirl a dish about, you did not like of, [yoe 

All being jdeasing to yoo ; or to take 
A snyf , ot veniaon, or stale fowl, by your nose. 
Which, is a solecism at another *s table ; 
Out by strong eating of them, did confirm 
They never were delicious, to your palatsv 
Jlut when they were mortified, as the Hu^oool aayi, 
And so your f>art lirrows greater; nor do yoa 
Find fault with the sauce, keen hunger being the 

best, 
Which ever, to your much praise, you bring witb 
Nor will you with impertinent relation «(, [to*! , 

Which is a masterpiece when meat's before you, 
Forjfef your teetli, to use your nimble tongue. 
Out do the feat vou come for. 

Betg. Be advised. 
And end your jeering; for if you proceed. 
You'll feel, oa 1 C4in eat I can be angry, 
Anfl beating may ensue. 

Stew. Ill take your cuutUMd, 
And roundly come to the poiiil : my Innl uorJi 
That you, that are n courtier as a soldier. [waaidaii| 
In nil things else, and every day can vary 
Your nctiuns and discourse, continue constant 
To ihis one suit, 

Belg. To one ! *lis well I hare one, 
Unpawn 'd, in these days ; every cast cotntnaiwler 
Is not blest witli the fortune, 1 aa»ure you. 
But why this (juestion ? does this olTend him ? 

Steu\ Not much ; but he believes it ia the reaeoo 
You ne'er presume to sit above the 8aU| ; 

• Or rather e^er •tipper : wiUitutly th«n 

rtl walk a uiUe to hear thet^] Alluding lotbr good old |»»^ I 
vtyrb. iviblch incuk.Bteft titnp'craDce at Ihit nMfal, tty roc*i»'U 
tticndiiug a walk alter it. I 

f (In edit, of |gu, Gitford ba« a long aoift to tkt* wunlttl 
provit iiB ijifliinction frftn aMajf, a trial, a jproof. The i 
" ^ PacrSe < 



lucanitig altac:h«i to s<a^ a» la Spenter^ FacrSe Qa 



^*^1 



'• Wbkb whctt he 9pyde opon the earth tVncroachu 
Throngh the dead ctrc«ic« he made hia way ; 
Monqni which h« fonnd a «<word of bctirr ariy, 

"" With which he forth went into ih' open Iic;bi." 
Id Kittg Lear thr word abo occurnt meaninsr p*'f*f*f, »fHl •l"| 
Ihoiii^h «oniewhat diflereiil In the ' 

deDtiji (he «•««; hrrt- inltndrd. * 
considered the word tynonimooi ws 

J Ytm ne'er prvntme to eit above iU« ?^ m :, J uja n-r 
Ihe fnauncr in which onr ancettnoi wei« ii»nal)> •rH 
thdr ineala. The tabUt being lontt, the tJill wat rf^r 
placed about Ihe middle, aitd served ne a ktml - r 
ti> the dirierenl qiiulity of the gite<ii! Invite^K T ! 
liticttoti were ranked alKuve : thr «pace bdow 'v^ 
to the dependeiiti, infertor rclaliun* of (be in 
hnuse, Acr. It ar];i]c» litlk for the delicacj of ii 



-^J 



uo 



Tim UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



4h 



lereforef tfiU diiy« oitr gr«al Mdminl, 

other slAtes, b^ixi^ invited guests, 

B<s entreat you to appear unoii^ them» 

le fresh babit. 

f. This stuff shall not serve 

Lt the dog: off ; tliese are soldier's nrments, 

> by cToaseqnenee grow contemptible. 
f, ft has stung him, 

f^ I would I were aci^uainted with the p1a)iers, 
,rity tJiey might furnish me ; but there is 
fJi in brokers ; and for believing tailorc, 
sre only to be naui of, but not seen ; 
Uttt they sfe confined to their own hells, 
JMfe they Uve invisible. Well, T niuitt not 
>b*d off thus : pmv you report my a<»rvice 

► lord govern Of J t will obey him; 

tBOogh my wardrobe's poor, rather tlum lose 

mpoor at diis feast, 1 will put on 

eacst suit I have, and fill the clmir 

Qalrea me worthy oP. [£H<- 

f. We ttre shut of htm, 

11 be seen no more here : how my fellows 

tle^s me for hi a absence ! he had starved them, 

e staid a little longer. Would he could, 

9 own sake, shift a shirt ! and that's the utmost 

rtioo I ftdieu, good captain. [£ji/. 

SCENE Ih^Tketiimg, 
Off fiKAfronT Jenitft , and BaAUfORTjfiiftlor. 

uf. ten. Til a itranse fondoesa. 
uj.'Jun. 'Tis beyond exampk* 
solution to part with bis estate, 
Jre hei dower the weightier, is nothing ; 
» observe bow curious he is 
own person^ to add ornament 
\ daugVler's ravishing features, is the wonder 
m po^e of mine in tlie way of courtship 
nomins: lo her, to present my service, 
whom 1 understanu all : there he found him 
tons in wluit shape she should apf>eiir; 

twas ricbibiit the fashion stall? ; tlie other 
L, and neat, but the stuff not rich enough ; 
be curse the tailor, and in rage 
r aboemaker, for wanting art 
pram in every cireumstance the form 
r moat delicate foot ; then sits io council 



►ey ib«nW wtmU of •ocli dintiartions at their tKMrdj 

rmHi I lo b«v« pUctHl ilit'tr £iiC9t:i belotrthe 

or ti jrtjje than ibal ut monityio^ itu-m. 

, Jn I itotj)i*$t, (F. 3.) gi^e* « very adnur- 

i>r' itiiKiies *' <if a poor scholar/' (Hiitrt 

. **A genilf nqvffTf," Ac, i> a venibcatioo 

hi hi»vc tak«u the rolloaring clianotcri-itk 

•• Nnv a for hit fare, it i» U;jhiJ) at the chcafiest 

kflt if* tntnt <il wtrr the anit, thJit u Ht\ axiotut^ iu 

|ilS«i;^the», haviiif tirawnt bif kriir« k-iiurably, uq- 

bU naulcio mannerly, aHcr tMrkc or diricc WypioE hit 

ir he B4VK U, liv may reach ibe brvad on hit knife's 

ami fifl r.i hji porrigr, tnd bclwet'ii every iponeftjU 

k mv '-'n, M M capon craooijig,^ lesi he tut mtt 

Jfc>f ^i«j^ ham bwied part ^f thnrjlni 

in r.'. 

u « rjiapay piece of |>late -with a cover of 
lit NkhoUj'a ProereaK^s of Que^^n EH-ta- 
j»e of «ioe, aiift in DitKliri% LUtruiT Kemi 
■ij^raving of one Ih'Ii i 4rk'hriiUiii 

' r, it ii flffiirvd h-i^: [ flic, anif 

. may be forrnti) ui i nsul tlitMr 

f |>ic«t^ Ml ftimltnre. Ei>») 

amdJUl th» chair 

t snoAei nc m^rihf ^f. \ Hib mo hit been hitherto 
I sa «« Imperfect •entvjice; but torely, wUttoui ne- 
TW iticaiiitie ki, " I will WX the < hi Ir of which that 
n. fte bert tttit I have) makei mc worthy." 



With much df^liWratioti , to find out 

What tire would best adorn ber; and one chosen, 

V^arying in his opinion, he tears off, 

Andf stamps it under foot ; then trie.s a secoiidj, 

A third, and fourtli, and satisfied at lenglli. 

With much ado, in that, he grows agiia 

Perplexed and troubled where to pkes her iewels, 

To be most mark'd, and whether she abould wear 

This diamond on her forehead, or betweefi 

Her milk white naps, diiiputing on it botb ways J 

TIk'h to king in his hand a rope of pearl, 

(The best of France,) be serioasly considen, 

Whether he should dispose it on her arm, 

Or on her neck ; with twenty other trifles, 

Ti>o tedioui to deliver. 

Bf^ujf. am. I bavf^ known him. 
From bis first youth, hut never yet observed, 
In all the passagei of hi a life and fortunes. 
Virtues so mijx'd wiUi vices: valiant the world 

speaks him, 
But with that, bloody \ liberal in his gifts too, 
Hut to miiiufain his prodi^ exfuense, 
A fierce e?ctortioner ; an impotent lover 
or women for a flaab*, but, bin tires quejich'd. 
Hating as deodlv : the truth is, 1 am not 
Ambitious of this match ; nor will 1 cross you 
In your affections* 

BetniJ\Jun* I have ever found you 
(And 'tis my happiness) a loving father, 

[Loud mutic. 
And careful of my good :— by the loud music, 
As ycm guvc order for lii* entertainment, 
He'd rome into the hou^e. Two long hours since, 
The colonel !i, commissioners, and captains, 
To pay h Im all the rites his worth can challengej 
Went to wait on him hitlier. 

Efil^r MALFfOBT, Montaigne, Chamont, LanouRi 

MoNTtiF-viLLK, TnEocniKE, Usher, Page, and 

Waiting Women. 

Bfuuf. seru You are most welcome. 
And what I speak to you, does from my heart 
Disperse itself to all, 

Maief. You meet, my lord, 
Your trouble. 

Bmuf. sen. Rather, sir. increase of honour, 
When you ore pleased to grace my bouse* 

Betiuf.juiu The favour 
Is doublet! on my \mn, most worthy sir, 
Since your fair duughtor, my incomparable miatresSi 
Deigns us her presence. 

Mai^\ View her well, brave Beaufort, 
But 5'et at distance; you hereafter may 
Make your approaches nearer, when tlie priest 
Hath nuKle it lawful : and were not she mine, 
I durst aloud prookim it, Hymen never 
Put on bin san'ron -coloured robe, to change 
A barren virgin name, with more good! omtas 
Thau at ht^ nutitifdH, l^onjk on her agmn, 
Then tell me if^^she now appear the same 
That she was yesterday, 

BeatiJ\ sen. Being herself, 
She cannot but be eicellent ; these rich 
And curious dressings, which in otljers mtght 
Cover deformities, from her take lustrt), 
Nor crni udd to her. 




(Jf ftwnvn fmr a jfiaah, Aic, Wtid, fierce, aorontrollablf Ln 
his in^vivnt; Ihii 19 a Ltlisiirrs impvttm amuri§^ and it a 
vtr>' »troug eaprcfttion. 



46 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



[AcTlU^ 



htaUf* You conceive hn right. 
And m vour mdminuofi uf her sweetoeM, 
You only can deserve her, Hluth not, girl. 
Thou art ahovf^ his praiMf^, or mine ; nor can 
Obiicquious Flattery, though she ,*»hoii1d use 
Herthou!»nd oiPd tongue* to advtnee thy worfJn 
(»i\re aught, (for thnt's ini possible,) but tak« from 
Thy morw than hymiin gracea; and owvti then, 
\Mien fihe hath apeat heinelf with hw boat atreiigtb. 
The nroRg she baa done tbee abal! beao apparentt 
Thiit, losing her own servile shiipe and naiiia, 
She will be thought DeiraetioQ : hut 1 
Forg«t myaelf ; and something whispars to me, 
I hare said too much. 

Mimt. J know not what to think m\*t, 
Hut there's some mystery in it^ which I fear 
Will be too aoon dincoret'd, 

MaltJ\ I much wrong 
Your patience, noble sir* hy too much bugging 
My proper i»Hue» and, tike the foolish csrow, 
Believe my black brood swaiiSt 

Bfauf. 1^1. llieT« needs Dotp air, 
Thi^ leBst excuse for this; nay, I must bare 
Your nnu, you being tlie master of tiiH feast, 
And this the mistreas. 

Thgiic* I am any thing 
Thiit you shall tfleaiM to make ma. 

BeanJ,Jwu TVay, 'tisyoitn, 
Without more romptimettt. 

Mtmt*, Your wilFs a \aw, sir. 

[T^ud mmick. Eji*i4nt BeaujWt tenwr, Mairfort, 
Thtiirriif^, htfjufirrtjuniar, Montaigne, Chatmmtf 
Lanour, Matftrftifff* 

t'^h. Would I had been Ijom a lortl I 

1 W,m. Or I n liuly ! 

Pugr. It may he you were both begot in court, 
Thoug:h bred up in the city ; for your motliers, 
As 1 have heftru, loved the luhby ; and there, nightly 
Are seen Scmnge ap|mriuori« : and who knows 
But that some noble fuiin, heated with wine, 
And cloy'd witli piiitridge, had a kind of longing 
To trade in spratji ? this needs no exposition :^ 
But ran you yield a reason for your wiahea? 

{^»h. Why, had I been born a lord, I had been 
no servaot. [vroiters, 

1 Wom^ And whereas, now necessity makes us 
We had been attend etl on. 

t Wtfm, And nns^ht Imve slept then 
Ajs longas we pleniMni. and fed when we had stomiicba, 
And worn new t lothtfN, iu»r lived, as now, in hope* 
Of a cast gown, or petticoat. 

Pa^0. \ ou are fooU, 
And ignornnt of your happiness. Ere I was sworn 
To the pitntoflet, I hare heard my tutor 
Prove it hy logic, that a servant's life 
Wji* bptter than his master's and by (bat 
I learn 'd from him* if that my memory fail not, 
rit make it good. 

C$k Proceed, my little wii 
Ih ducinw itt tOt 

l*tt^* Thus tlwa : from the king 
To tlie beggar, hy gmdntion, all are aerrants ; 



• Mmt.] So ihe old copy * It matt, however, be m mJAUke 
Iter Theoc, Of rathvr, ptrttJipa, for Maltji 

♦ ■ — Ar» / itiM 

llwom to the paniirflr.} L c, ukrn mim sttruiling In the 
portrr'i I*m1«v, (which tvvm% to hsve been the irpi dmeof 
»enUiidirj to wait on Tlirorrlito. 



And you must grant the sis very is leaa 
To study to please one, than many. 

V»h, Yrue. [p^l 

Pugf, Well then ; and first to you, air, you ««»•] 
You serve one lord, but your k»rd serveaa thimsaad, 
Besides his fiossions, that are his worst maateta ; 
You must humour him. and be is bound lo aooth 
Every grim sir above liim* : if he firown. 
For the least neglect vou fear to los*» your place ; 
But if, and with all slavish observation, [^i^i| 

From the minion's self, to the groom of kia c l o a t-l 
He hourly seeks not fxkvour, be is aure [i(t.l 

To be eased of his office, though f>erhap« be bought I 
Nay, more : that high disposer of all such 
That are subordinate to him, serves and leiars 
Tlw fynr of the many -headed monster. 
The giodr multitude : and, as a bora« 
la sill) ft Dorse, far all his golden trspptngs. 
So your man of purchased titles, at tJheir bMl, art 
But serving men in rich lireriea. 

V§h, Most rare inftot! 
Where lettmiriil thou this moral tti' » 
Pagv. Whv. thuu dull pate. 
As 1 told rliee, of my tutor. 
1 Warn, Now for us, boy- 
Pa^, I am cut ofl": — ^the governor. 
£iiKt Bcaufort aemar, and Beau ronr Jitnior ; 
tettirig forth a ban^tut^ 

Beauf. ttH, Quick, quick, sirs^ 
See nil things perfect 

Serv, Let the bhune be ours else* 

Beat/. Mil. And, as I siiid, whan wo are at the 
banquet. 
And high in our cups, for 'tis no feaat without it, 
Kspeciidly among soldiers ; Theocritie 
lieing retired, as that a no place for her. 
Take you occasion to rise from ilie tablf. 
And lose no opportunity. 

Bmuf.jun. Tts my purpose ; 
And if 1 can win her to give her heart, 
I htive a holy man in readiness 
To join our hands; for the odminil, her Esther. 
Repents him of his grant to me, and ooems 
So far transported with a strange opinion 
Of her fair features, that, should we defer it, 
I think, ere long, he will believe, and strong^l^. 
The dauphin is not worthy of her : I 
Am mucb amazed wifh'ti 

Beauf. urn. Nay, dispatch there, fellows. 

[Einmt Bmufortsenwra^itd Bmufortjmniifr, 

Strtu We are ready, wfieo you please. Street 
format, vour pardon ! 
It htti been sucli a buity time, I could aot. 
Tender that CTiremonious refijwct 
Which you desen-e ; but now, the ^rtat wtvrk 
i will attend the leaa, and with all care [ettU«<i, 

Ohserva and jenreyon. _ 



■kfi»kmmdtP96^th 



f>- > 'thttvf him .] €rim fir, Mr. Dodnlrjr tnjii 

dlci- iM trim -ir! for thin he Itbonomrfil viUhtlM 

s||i]]r< I xfUr ; ttiousli nutblitc r^ia 1>e miiHrr crritln 

Ihin tttjt il4t: oM rcarltni! l4 rlEhr. SkclUHi cjiU* VI ntirT « 
grim tirp, aail Pktchrr hat a tlniiljir nprrwiuEi lu tA* A'^tftxr 
Bretkrr ; 

*• fVir*|r. It li a fiiith 
Th*l wt Vii\] 411" if) ; iiiice from ihr t*1flvk|«4r4 
To Ihf prim air in i\^ee, lbrr% are ft w 
Hold othrr iriicli." 
t Swtti fi*rin«, Ac] Thi» U i fwliry p)*y nn wurdi. Tb» 
fimm mesni Uy \\\v M-niiiiU, trc the knf bcneluM on wirich 
the Knc*ti wt'te lo «jt. The (Hie pedsiitry of Ibe tpasch l> 
wkU rKpnvcd tiy the P«|e. 



IIJ.] 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



4? 



Fmgm, This i» • peim*d jipee^h, 
rvM M m perpetual preface to 
nr madfi or fragiaeots. 

Utk, W# ir«it on tou. 



[Ei^uiit. 



SCENE III. — Thtnme. A Banquet Mftfitrth,' 

MuMtCn Enter BEJurroar tentar^ MALEronT^ 
Ml*?rrA»vv, CoAMOXT, La!«ol'a, Beaufort JuHMir, 
MofrrmiTiLtK, aiwC Serraat«, 

BtotiiA im. Von are not menr, »ir. 
MmUf, Ym. my good lord« 
Yoa iMV'Pi^wn IM ample meaos to drown oil cares ; — 
AjmI y> ^ i-ib 4tn»^ tJiou^bu, wbich I would 

IfclntT i^trov. [Aiidt. 

Mm* 'ij . '- r. Vr^Y you, takp your place. 
Mamutf, jHn. Aii^ drink a health ; and let it be, 
if you plrase. 
X<> fifc© ^rorthiest of women. Now observe him. 

Mmi^. Give tne the bowl ; «iuce you do me the 
I wnl\ tH^ffin it. [Ijonour, 

Chmm. May we know her name, sir ? [qu(^en's, 
Mati^m You fibfil) ; I will not choose a fon^ign 
ilf«e jttC «ur own, for rhat would relish of 
TilHB0 flatteiy ; nor do their height of title, [nesi. 
Or abiaolute power, coniinn their wortli and g^ood- 
TUeae b«uig^ hearerrs jfifts. and frequently coofenr'd 
On aoch aa are beneath them; nor will I 
KiSDe tlie king'a miatreaa, howsoever ^hu 
Itt bis ma,Umm may carry it , but if I« 
A« anus gir«a liberty, may use my freiMlom« 
Hot awaj'd thia way or tJiat, with confiilenoe, 
*" 'ltd I will inake it good on auy e(|uii],) 
it eauat be to ber wboae outward form 
b»tf»r*d by the beauty of her mmd, 
larval not (liat with justice can pretend 
iniervat to tlii^ so sacred healU). 
aaj hir dauifhter. Jlo ilmt only tloubts it, 
do froniQiuice a villain : this to her. then. 

IDrittki. 
UmL Wbat may we think of this ? 
Bmwf* am. It matters not. 
ItfsL For my part, I wiU aooth him, rather than 
Dfww OD a qttarrel *, 

CA«ai, It in the aafeat course ; 
Aad one f mean to follow* 

Bmuf. JuHs h luu li^one mund, sir. lExiL 

M^hf. Now yon have dune her right ; if there 
Worthy to aeoond tliia, propose it boldlvt [be anv 
I m yoor |»l«dge. 

Bmm/. am. I^a pause h«te, if you pleaaei 
Aikd entertain th* time with sumeiliing else. 
llaaif thitre ! in some bfty strain ; the aong too 
j Tkat I >r«Te order for; the new one, calKd 
r TV StitiL^*M />e%Af. [Muiic nnd a tang. 

J&attr BauiaftOB In nrmonr, a euu of' carhina hi^ 
hi§ tide* 

JMf. WI10 atopa me now J 
Or who daraa oniy aay that I appear not 
la iJba moat rich and glorious habit that 
^ a miD complete I What ooart ao set off 



P-Tviv — • ,rm^TwJ,\ Tlllt baa bilhcrto becD printed, 
ihmm as m a i t fti n af, CktmoM ; 11111 the avst fpe<cli fivrn 
•• lf«Hlfr»lllK. It I* oat vrry prtttuMe iIijiI ibt iMtvr 
t^tmM frpi* to sa «4HH<nr«lkio «d(irmcil u> CtianiiiDi, wfMt 
^kam h* Qurt mat «p]Wftr tu bv fmttiUmf : and! I)cslu<.'«i. tbt 
«f maifg aeetti lu prove ili«t ibe n^me lum »llpt fruni 
—ilne llac tuiu the text uC tJiU. 



With state and ceremonious pomp, hut, lliito 
Accoutred, I may enter? Or what feast, 
Thou|;h all tlie element;} at once were mmsnck'd 
Til storp it with vuriety traniireriding 
llie curiouHuess and co^t on rmjun'a hirihdiiy ; 
(Where princes only, and confederate Lingd, ' 
Did sit m ^estii, served and nttendeil on 
By the timiutor^ of B^me ), at which • a ^ddieri 
In tliij* hiN astural and proper shajie, 
Mif^hr not, and boldly, fill a seat, and by 
Hisj presence make the great solemnity 
More honoured and remarkable } 

Btituf. ten, Tis acknowledged ; 
And thitf a grace done to me iniexjiecied. 

Mont. But why in armour i 

Mah-f. Whai'ii the mystery ! 
Pray you, reveal tluit. 

fBr^. Soldiers out of action. 
That ver)' rare • • • • 
• • • • but, like unhidden siie^ts^ 
Brinj? thpir stoot-i with them, for their own defence |, 
At raurt should feed in gauntlet:*, they mny have 
Thf-ir Ijujijer.^ cut else : tJifcre your curpel kni||^htS| 
1 bat never churned beyond a mistress* tips. 
Are afill most keen, and valiant. But to yt»u, 
Wliom it does moiSt concern, my lord, I will 
Address my speech, and with a solidier^a freedom 
In my reproof, return the bitter scoff 
You threw upon my |>overty : you contemn 'd 
My coarser out^iide, and from tnat concluded 



• -- ml which a mldirr ike] Tlie old etf^y 

readi, tat with * mUiWr. Hie emeiuUtJui), wImlIi i« n vviy 
htpyyonv, wa* ni»de by Mr. M, Mjii^tii. Ttic ciirrii|jtlci'ii la 
t»MU\ ^cci>unit.<<l for; ihc printer tniatouk llie ■econd ft^uen- 
IhrsU Turin «, «ii<t havlti^ kIvi'Ii mt for af«, was oblit^i'd tu 
aller lh«> next wurd, lo inJikr miiw of iIm> line. TIuja vvlll 
be ancle r«l«j4irl ■! once by ■ referente to iho quarfo, where 
Uie Gir»t pirnillieiiji ouly appear*, which VfM ihere/ore 
mriitled by the (iiccc-pdiiiij^ cfliior*. 1 km>w not HhctL- Mh»- 
lioger foftail thi» auec4otc of Tr^ijaD : he wa«, i ml ceil, » 
itiA^DiAceDC, Kiiili, im »ume cA»*'^t mh iMt«DtAiki>n>t f^«riacr ; 
bat DcJiher his pride, nor his pnirlern-e, I Ivlleve, wmM 
have alluwcHj ibr " fciiAliviiii of RoiriL'" lo it^i^riide lUviu 
H'lvei by wAiiing on Ibe ulllcn of ihi? rcptibitc 

f "Belg. Soldirrtjimt of actum. 

That very tare, • • • • • ^ 

* * • • « All/, Wte wOnddfn ifw^U 
Brinff thfir Mttttdt with thrm^ &c,\ So I hjive viiUttitrd ta 

Eriiii Lhifi pa»aag«, bclof pvnaaded that a line U U««t. Tliv 
rcak^ C'innot b« hikd op, bat tbv M.'ii»e mlgbt he, S&tdWta 
out of actum, that v^ry rarrijf Dorl se^tf reitfrvcd lur thcin, 
h e. are liiviie<t, hit, like, ^c How the modern ectltiit * 
uadrratood thi* piiBMgi' I know not hnl, they aU five U fliii». 
Bv\!g,. ,S0ldiert out qf action, ^_ 

Thai fiery rare, hut like unAid^len ffuetta ^« 

Hrittg Ac. 
ThiA cQiiomof giieirr!!, who an* unlnviitt'd hnii^ln^ ihrlr 
*CNti wilhibein], i> rrei(Utfiilly referred to byourultl wrllera : 
«o RowJey : 

If'id^w. What cupcmateS fbU tronr ? WIk* let biin in ! 
JanHs. By thU light, a f el tow of an vicrlliMit lirt'tHUus; 
he came unlfiddeni^aitd brtmaht hi§ tto*^ vith Aim. 

I — for their ovm dt^femee, 

At cmtrt th^tmtilfeed in gunnlleti, ih^ mag htrv$ 
Tk^r Jinffert cut elte H''re I* th* bon-mot fw which 
Quia w;tJi M> mnrh cclebraterl thftt "at eity feaita It «.k« 



aeltt»<:r tafe nor umdent to help one'« %v\t without a bd^kel- 
Hiln-cl kiilfe," MaidJDver 501 It, I iuppoje, from HarcUjr'* 
tettmd Eclttgwf, which luu 
it MA!) HriiiV-n: 



•etttnd EciitffMf, which bu jtnrat inerii lor th«* time in wliuL 



]f tlJt ■1ish«> t«B pleaMuiil eyiher 11fj>he or tithe. 
Ten bdjidc* at «HMe twinne in the di»lie — — 
To pnl there thy handrs In p*-ril i^illiout faylcj 
Without a j/auntUtt or eh n ytvve t\f tpajfU ; 
Among 4II tbcMe knivc«, ihtxi one of bftth mu*t have, 
Or els it i» li»rde Iby t\ns,er4 to •aii'*'," 
Where Barclay foond tt, I cannot tell i bai there If «nniething 
of the kinri in Diofenc* Lacrtiaa. " There U ptitkLiiK new 
tin iter the «mn f " 




4B 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



[ActHL, 



f As by your groom you madi* me tind«ritind) 
1 was unworthy to tit nt yotir table. 
Among tJaeie tissues und i*ml>rot(leri«^9» 
UnlMt I cbuged my habit : t liav<? done it. 
And ebow myself in that which f have worn 
In the best and ferrour of a bloody fight ; 
And then it was m Ai«hioti, not us now, 
liidtculou*! and d^^spis^d. Thiji hath piiirt through 
A wood of pikes, and evpry one aim*d At it. 
Yet scom'd to tijte impression from their fury : ] 

Willi ihiH, m atill you aee it, fresh and n^w. ' 

Fve charj;ed tlirough fire that would have sin^d 
vour sables, [colour 

Blocl fox, and ormines, and changed the proud 
Of scarlet, though of the rg-ht T>Tnan die, — 
But now, as if the trapping^a made the man. 
Such only are admireo tliat oomo ndom'd 
Witb whst'8 no jiart of them. This ii mine own. 
My riehost suit, a suit 1 must not part from, 
But not reis^iirded now : and yet re7neml>Rr, 
'Tis we that bring you in tli© means of fi^astn, 
linnqueta, and re^eU, which, when you possess. 
With barbaroua ingratitude you deny us 
To he made sharers in the hanreat, which 
Our sweat and industry reAp*d, and sow*d for you. 
The silks you wear, we wit^ our blood spin for vou ; 
This massy plate, that with the ponderous weiglit 
Does make your cupboanls crack, we (utiaifn|fhti»d 
With tempests, or tho long and tedioun way, 
Or rireadfui monsters of the deep, that wait 
Witb open jaws still reatly to devour us,) 
Fetch from the other world, l^t it not Uinn, 
In after ages, to your shame be spoken, 
That vou, with no rwlentmg eye*, look on 
Our wanu» that feed your plenty : or consumcn, 
In prodi^l and wanton gim on drone^i. 
The kingdom's treasure, y<^t detain from us 
The debt that with the hazard of our lives. 
We haye made you «tand engaged for ; or force us. 
Agiiinst all civil govemmpnt, in armour 
To re(]uirfl tijat, which with dl willingnesa 
Should h« tender 'd ere demanded, 

Emuf. ten. I commend 
This wholesome sharpneaa in you, and prefer it 
Before obsei^uioua tameneas ; it shews lovely : 
Nor Bhiill the rain of your good counfsel fall 
Upon thi^ barren sunds, but spring up fruit*, 
Such as you long have wish'd for. And the reat 
Of your profe:isioR, like you, disc'ontented 
For want of means, aliall in their present payment 
Be hound to praise your boldness : and hereafter 
I will take order you shall have no cHUse, 
For want of change, to put your armour on, 
But in the face of an eueroy ; not as now, 
Among your friendii. To that whitb is due to yon, 
To furnish you like yourself, of mine own bounty 
III ttdd five huftdreif crowns. 

Chtim, I, to my power, 
Will fallow the example. 

Afdfi^ Take this, captain, 
*Tis all my present store ; but when you pleue, 
Commund mi* further. 

htn. I could wish it more. 

Belg. This is the luckiest jeat ever came from me. 
Let a soldier ujie no other scribe to draw 
The form of his petition* This will s]j«ed 



When your thrice-humble supplieerions. 
With prayer» fur increase of heilth and bonourt 
To their grave lord ships, shall, as soon •■ rend. 
Be pocketed up, the cause no more reiDe!inber*d ; 
When this dumb rhetoric — Well, I have n E&« 
Which I, in thankfuLneaa for your great (nroota, 
My noble lords, when you please to oommaDd it. 
Must never think mine own. Brckker, be hapf^fi 
These golden birda fly to thee. iLnL 

B€auf, ifn. You are dull, air, 
And seem not to be taken with the paasage 
You saw presented* 

MaUf, Pasaage I I observed none. 
My thoughts were ebewhere buaiad. Ha * i^ it 
In danger to be Io«t, to be lost for ever. 
If speedily I come not to her rescue. 
For so my genius tella me. 

Mmitr, What chimeras 
Work on your fantasy 1 

Makf, Fantasies ! they are truths. 
Where ia my Theocrine f you have plotted 
To rob me of my daug^hter ; bring me to h«sr. 
Or V\\ call down the saints to witness for me, 
Von are inhospitable, 

Heauf. im, Vou amaze me. 
Your daughter's safe, and now 4»xchanginfr ecmrtsbi^ 
With my aon, her semmt*. Why do you bear ihu 
With such distracted looks, since to that end 
Vou brought her hither 1 

Mokj\ Tis confessed I did ; 
hilt now, pray you, pardon me; and, if yon pleise, 
Kre she delivers up lier irirgin fort, 
1 would ohserve what is the art be uses 
J n planting his artillerj against it : 
She ii my only care, nor must abe yield. 
But upon noble terms, 

Hmuf, «7i, 'Tis so determined. 

Maiif. Yet 1 am jealous, 

WoMf. Overnitich, 1 fear. 
What passions ure these] 

lieattf, ten. Come, 1 will bring you 
Wlier<« you, with these, if tfiey so plenset fomy SM 
Th*» love-sceno ncted. 

Montr. There is something more 
I'hon fatlierly love in this. 

Mtmt. We wait upon you. [£feipvt 



SCENE IV,— Another Hoam in BcAifrnirr's HtfMitf, 
Enter BnAuronT junior ^ ami TucocBlK^ 

Beauf.Jun. Since then you meet my flLsmet with I 
equal ardour. 
As you profess, it is your bounty, nuBtress. 
Nor must I call it debl ; yet *tis youj glory. 
That your excess supplies my want, and niakea &ie 
Strong in my weakness, which could newer ba. 
But in your good opinion. 

Thcoe, You teach me, air, 
What I should say ^ sinoe from jour mn of frrotir, 



I. «. 



r II to 



■prt»^ it|». Thi» »i*ti*e of Uw wonl i«rfkinlllar tA MawlBsfr 

and Ki" roiitcm|H»r4rli(;», 



* Yowr ibnuffktfr'i wa/tf^ amd now r^ehmtgk^ ,^_ 

IVUh mjf mm. her icrvant.] Strumt was at tlO* I 

fnvariat)le term for ■ fuiior, wbo. ia rriarn, called the ( 
cif bii sddreMv*, mittnett. Thus Stilrlry, (one < 
fiir Btl,) 

** Brm, Whtt's the KcntletiiMti fhr turn inarri<^ f 
tViMTv. A man i>r pretty fortdiw, that baf fevcn 
|]cr Mfrvant tnuiy year*. 

Him Hiyyr do yoo meani ^ 

WnmtPDly,or doe* he wrve tar w»(tef t 
.Serv. Neiiher; I m^an her fiiiYor.'* '^ 



.] 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



49 



Di Phce>be, in herself obecur^, 
Jiat ligbt I have. 
Jun. Which you retam 
^ increase, nnce that yon will o*ercome» 
^re not contend, were yon bnt pleased 
what's yet divided one. 
I hare 

in my wishes ; modesty 
ne to speak more. 
jun. But what assurance, 
without offence, may I demand, 
' secure me that your heart and tongue 
lake harmony. 
Choose any, 

our lore, msting^uiahed from lust, 
nd mine to g^rant. 

r, behitid, BEArroRT teniart Malsfort, 

MoNTREViLLB, and tht ruL 
ten. Yonder they are. 
At distenoe too ! 'tis yet welL 
;un. I may take then 
1, and with a thousand burning kisses, 
i the anchor to my hopes 1 
You may, sir. 
Somewhat too much. 
jun. And this done, riew myself 
true mirrors t 
Erer true to you, sir : 
they lose the ability of sight, 
)y seek other object ! 
This is more * 
in gire consent to. 
jun. And a kiss 

ited on your lips, will not distaste you • ? 
Her lips ! [tracted ? 

Why, where should he kiss ? are you dis- 
jun. Then, when this holy man hath made 

nrful \Bnngt in a Priest, 

A priest so ready too ! I must break in. 
jun. And what's spoke here is register'd 
igross those fiirours to myself [shore ; 
e not to be named. 
All I can f^vBt 
they are 1 know not. 
jun. 111 instruct you. 

how my blood boils ! 
Pray you, contain youraelf ; 
his courtship's modest t* 

jun. Then being mine, 

Uy mine, the rirer of your lore 

len and allies, nay, to yonr father, 

' out of his tenderness he admires you,) 

±.e ocean of your affection 

e swallow'd up, and want a name, 

i with what you owe me, 

Tis moat fit, sir. 

iger bond that binds me to you, must 

U6 weaker. 

1 am ruin'd, if 
ot fairly off. 

. Jan. And a U$$ 

•bUedmpomrUpBtwUinoidiaVuteifouf] L e. 
iRp«.* the wofd perpetaally rccnr* in ibia mow. 
ifa hit eourtah^a modmt,] For ki§ the modern 
ve tkiM. Tlie change Is nnaecetMry. Tbe neat 
Mr. Ollchrlat itlMerres, bean a distant resemblance 
soonet or Daniel to DeUa : 
t bonadlesie ocean oC thy beantie 
this poor rWer, charf'd with itrearoee of aeale, 
»g thee the trtbnte or my dalle. 
»ere my lore, my troth, my plaints revealc." 



Jieauf, ten. There's nothing wanting 
But your consent. 

Malef, Some strange inrention aid me ! 
This ! yes, it must be so. [A$ide 

Montr, Why do you stagger, 
When what you seem'd so much to wish, is offer'd. 
Both parties being agreed too * ? 

Beauf, $en, I'll not court 
A grant from you, nor do I wrong your daughter. 
Though I say my son deserres her. 

MaUf. Tis far from 
My humble thoughts to underralue him 
I cannot prize too high : for howsoerer 
From my own fond indulgence I hare sung 
Her praises with too prodigal a tongue, ! 

That tenderness laid by, 1 stand confirm 'd 
All that I fancied excellent in her. 
Balanced with what is really his own. 
Holds weieht in no proportion. 

Montr, New tummgs 1 

Beauf, ten. Whither tends this ? 

Malef'. Had you obserred, my lord. 
With what a sweet gradation be woo'd. 
As I did punctually, you cannot blame her. 
Though she did listen with a greedy ear 
To his fair modest offers : but so great 
A good as then flow'd to her, should hare been 
With more deliberation entertain'd. 
And not with such haste swallow'd ; she shall fiiit 
Consider seriously what the blessing is. 
And in what ample manner to give dianks fbr't. 
And then receire it. And thoueh I shall think 
Short minutes years, till it be perfected f, 
I will defer that which I most desire ; 
And so must she, till longing expectation, 
I'bat heightens pleasure, makes her truly know 
Her happiness, and with what outstretcn'd arms 
She must embrace it. 

Beauf. jun. This is curiousness 
Beyond example %. 

MaUsf. Let it then begin 
From me : in what's mine own I'll use my will. 
And yield no fiirther reason. 1 lay claim to 
The liberty of a subject. Fall not off, 
But be obedient, or by the hair 
I'll drag thee home. Censure me as you please, 
I'll take my own way. — O the inward fires 
That, wanting rent, consume me ! 

[Exit witJi Theocrine. 

Montr. 'Tis most certain 
He's mad, or worse. 

Beauf, ten. How worse § ? 



* Both partiee being agreed too ?] The dd copy gives this 
hemistich to Beaafort Jauior, and is probably riebt, as Male- 
fort had by this time interposed between the lovers. Tbe 
alteration is by Coxeter. For to, which stands in all the 
edit ions, I read too. 1 1 should be observed that oar old writers 
nsaally spell those two words alike, leaving the sense to be 
diicuvered by the context (omitted In edit ISIS). 

f tUl it be perfected,] The old orthography was 

per/Uted, M mode of spelling mnch better adapted to poetry, 
and which I am sorry we have saffered to grow obsolete. 

X Beaaf. JQO' 7'Ats <« cnrioosness 

Befond exampte.] I. e. a refined and orer serapaloos con- 
sideration of the subject. So the word is frequently applied 
by oar oh! writers. (It ocears again in the " Parliament of 
Love," Act. 1, sc4; and in the Worlcs of TyodaU. folio 
p. 07, I find the folk>wlng apposite illostratlon of thU ex- 
pression, " Be diligent, therefore, that those be not deceaved 
with citriouenee. For me of no small repntation hare been 
deceaved with their ownc sophistry."— Ed.) 

i Beaaf. sen. HowwareeT] This sboit speech It ao( 

appropriated in the old copy. Dodalcy gives it to the pres«aC 

E 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT, 



ActIV. 



Montr* Nny, there I leare you ; 
Mj thoughts ftra frfvj. 

Bmuf.jun. Thia I forB«»w. 
Bmij^. im. Take comfort, 



He shjin wmllc in clatid«, bat IH diecorer him 
And he ftball And iinil (eeU if be excuwe om. 
And with strong reasons, tJiij ^roM mjuxj, 
I cfta make use of my authority. [ I 



ACT IV, 



SCENE I, — A Room in MalkfobtV Houm* 
Enter Mjilefoiit. 

What flames are these my wild d<*8ijre» fun in me 1 
The torch that fceda them wa» not lif^hted at 
Thy altars, Cupid ; vindicate ihyself, 
And do oot own it ; and coo firm it rather, 
Thnt thia infernal brund, thut turns me cinders, 
Was hy the suake-huir'd 8i4ters Lhrowu into 
My ^Ity bosom. that 1 was ever 
Acrurs*d in htiving^ i!isu4« ! my sou'h bloody 
rrbal like the poboa*d shirt of Hercules 
urows to each part about me,) which my hate 
Forced from him with much wiUingnese^ may admit 
Some w«^ak defence \ but my most impiotu love 
To my fair daughter Theocriue, none ; 
Sinoe my affection (rather wicked lujt) 
That does Tiuraue her, is a greater crime 
Than any detestation, with whir b 
I tbouUl afflict hor innocence. With what oumuiig 
1 hare betmyM myself*, and did not feel 
The ftcorchiog beat tliat now with furv rage* I 
Why was 1 tender of her t cover'd with 
That fond disguise, this mischief stole u}Km me. 
1 thought it no offence to kiss ber oiWo. 
Or twine mine arms about ber softer nvck i. 
And by false sbsdowa of a iBther'e^ kindneai 
I long deceived myself : hiat now the effect 
la too apparent. How I strove to be 
In her opinion held the worthiest man 
In courtship, form, and fttature ! envying him 
That was preferr'd before me ; and yet then 
My wishes to myself were not disicover*d» 
But still my fires iocreaaed, and with delight 
I would call her mistreta J, williiigly forgetting 
The name of daughter, choosing rather she 
Should style me lerraiit, than^ with reverence, 
fotber ; 



speaker. mkJ U evkdently rif^ht. M. M»oo ttXkmt CktatUif, 

who givM it to n« une ! 

« ffl/A what cutming 

i ham befraiffd m)/»elf, ^c.] Gifford, in the wliiitm of 
ISll, remuia o« ll^u ipc«ch Uiat il U a clme tnnilnilim uf 
flbe dcwiiplloB of tbe faltl p«Mlan of Byblii^ by Otid. to 
wihoni 1 niBit reffrr ibe readier for \hi& pjdnUd t)BM««i.— 
Nttsnorpli, Lib. la. 4fiO.— F.i> ) 

f Ot twHu iNJJM amw about her iufler nec&n\ i. e. her soft 
litfcJk; our old poets freqarnlly afio^^l, and iud««d iwhh fill- 
gttbr good ta«ie, iht cumparativr fur tlu' p^iaitivc, Thii»^ Jo 
s very pretty paiuge la the Vomitat <\f Lote and Friend* 
M4fr, by R. Mead : 

•* Wlien I fbnU iH circled wlibln yoar amif't, 
How flt>aU 1 ca»l a bieaiish on yofar taonoiir. 
And appear oa«-ly like aome /almr fioiH.', 
Placecl in a tiog of gujd, wliich grow* a Jt wi-l 
But frocB tbe *cal wbkh holds Ll t" 
And Indeed Maialcicer hiniKlt furiiithet namcrofii fnatancet 
of tkii pnu'ilctt ; utic occufi Jimt brlow : 

" — 'Which your j/ifiZ/rr icmpcr, 

On my *utnniwM>n, 1 ho[*t, wlli pdnlon." 
Another wc ttave Already Ii»t1, in /W rir^nJ/arryr .- 
*♦ Jitdjc not my readier will In tli* event,*' 
1 / Wimld call htr roiHreat, &e*l See aott to Act Ui, ac 4. 
awe* 



Yet, waking, I ne'er cheriih'd obieefktt liopM*« 
But in my troubled alumbera often t^tigbt 
She wiLs too near to me, and then sleeping blMili*4 
At my imagination ; which pasa'd, 
(My eyes being open not condemxiiiiif it,) 
I waM ravishM witn tbe pleaaure of the dram. 
Yet apite of thesie tejoptatioDS I have reaaon 
That pleads againat them, and eommiind:& me to 
Extioguiah these abominable fires ; 
And I will do it ; I will aend ber back 
To htm tliat loves her kwfiiUy. Within theie! 
Enter TifEocarxE. 



Th§oc, Sir, did you call ! 
Muief. I look no *ooner on ber. 



Mtilef. 
But all my boaatiKl power of retason !«&▼•& in^ 
And piaaioa ag;ain uaurps her empire* 
Doei none elee wait me ? 

Thioe* I am wretched, sir. 
Should anv owe more duly t 

Malef. Thia is worse 
Than dijobwlience \ leave me. 

Timtc. On ray kneea, air, 
As I have evt-r squared my wiU by joori, 
And liked and loathM with yooreyee, I b w e o hyoi 
To tench me what the nature of my fbttll if* 
That huth inrensed yoy ; sure 'tis one of weekneaa 
And not of malice, which your gentler lemper, 
On my submission, I hope, will pnrdoti : 
^^^ltcn rraiited by your piety, if that I, 
OtJt of UiB least neglect of mine hereefter, 
Make yon rem em bur it, may I sink ever 
Under your dread command^ sir- 

Male/. O HIV stars ! 
Who can but ^oat on this humility, [twf , 

That 3wi*et*»ns Lovely in her teaw ! ^The <it- j 

That seem'd to lessen in their weight but now U 
But this ^row heavier on me. 

• Yet wakine, t m'rr cheritJk'd abmms Ae|wa,l TW* «M 
copy reads »7 miM-ktiifSr^ir tbif b« tiK sru«i«« wurd, ii 
miut mean " uittvtiiltAtiiiiding my wanton abuK of Ibe IrriM | 
D»eatik4iii-4 atK»vt.s I never dierbhed/' Ac, ltit» la errtatiily 
not dcferlive in it dul- ; bni the re»t at tbe tcnienoK c«tU m J 
liimlly iov waJkinji, ihni I h4ve not acnipldl DO inavrt it ia 
tiie text ; tht^ lormption. at tbe preM, wt» SelicieMly am^*' 

f Malef. O mif BtarM f 

frA« can 6wf doat on tki» hvmaUtw, 
. Th0t weftm* Ltnxig in her tettrt ' rhmftOfm^ 

7%H mem'd I0 l*9»i*n Ia their wntfht but laciw, 

Stf thit ijrntttf hettvier on fw.] So 1 v«nmre 10 piilBt tit ' 
paniage : it t> vbiupt, and dcinruet th« di^txarted stair of (M j 
apvabrr's mind. U nand» thui in Mr. Itf. Ma«i« : 

Matef. O mg atar§ f whfi cm hut doat mt thh hmmOkf 

Thai •wi^tfH* ^ lovely in her team} theMimn 

That tern A !« leeeen kft. their weight ; hat mem 

By: ifiiB orate Artiwer on me. 
CoMeivr fuiluw* llie old coplet, which oqIj differ I 
In |iUeiti£ a note of Ititcrrngqtioci after 
cvideBtly wrung, becante aalttieUiiglbU. 

Tbe rewlrr nanai not Iw larprised at tbe 1 
wWck beeiat tbe qtiiAalkm frooi Mr. M. Haacw. KelBbttf 
he, nor Coxeter. nor Dodalvy, lecma tO bavt had ll« ■ 
wjliciiadc (1 will not i«v kiMrarlwlBe) icepcctlat Ibt mteue , 
Df tb«ir author: and MaaalDMr, Vtm mail baiinnatiiae •( 1 

Sttst appearip in tbdr detttUory pifet« aa aataDcakiv P 
ftTRton or Donoe* I 



li^ 



filK UNNATURAL COMBAT, 



M 



D«ur sir. 
P*«cef 
jt hear the«. 
for look on ma ? 

J words ife eKflinii. 
\gj they hmw9 power thrti 
f tamped of your wmib ! AIm, iir^ 
, JHOW in wbttt I pive oflSmee, 
])CijitAn<Mfi I wouM show mr sorrow 
: U past, and, iu my care fiereufti^r, 
XCuioD, or e^AsA to b« ; 
1^ without your far oar, ii to m6 
WQ^Id cast ofll 

O that my lii*art 

It in ftunder, that I mffbt expire, 
• in my death buried • ! yet I know not, — 
ih pievjiilmp oratory 'tis bejr^M (rom. the, 
|«ny thee would conviiee me to 
ik'd tbe milk of li^ra : rise, and I, 
i pirplex'd And myaterious method, 
Le reUtioi) : Thvit which lU tbe world 
«nd c^ea up in tfiee for per^tiona, 
nbtppy me rout blemiAbes^ 
cts in nature. If thou hodet been bom ^ 
i and crooked in the fe itures of 
f, aa the mannt^rs of tby rainid ; 
p'd, flat-nosed, dim-ev«dtand beetk-brow'd 
warfi itature to a pan^B waiat ^ 
■th*d, with cluwa for rtngara on thy hindg, 
it«d, gouty-legs^'d, tnd ov^er all 
nno lepro«y haii emread itself, 
la that ahunn'd of ham*m fellowiJiipa ; 
n bleat 

Vfhj, would yoa wiah a monat«r 
h • mm, orweam, you faifft dtoaerited) 



Rather than as now^ 

I had drowti'd iliee for it in tbe aea,) 
Lg, aa thott doat, a new Pandora, 
Do'a fui cow-ayaaf, Minerva's brow, 
bluahing eheeks. Hebe's fre«h yr^uth, 
oft papa, with llietis' silver feet. 
Sir, joo hara liked and loved them, 
ioroa(l(h 



und 



wtt Ui mv d*ath ImHed *] v«'t [ i 
I «fiyrr|»riiil. iliAi tiH Intt'^Hiunt jm '- 

Kt«!4l, Ap )lii» i^asmfv b«tliti«en till 1. 

to be pud«nli.MiJ, 

» aptryiex'4 and m^aterhv* mettmdt] Wtt bave 
id \M* e%pte**kon trvm Xbt iQU t 
t a perpln'd ftmn and mHh«d/' Ac. Act li, we.. K 
bf e4D inor« •iroajrly evpre** tbi- chiracUT iM iIua 
m fadtcr^ wliove crlmet were too horribk f*»r hi^ 
vftm^ mnd ^Umc wubtrt are too Sti;lli(}u« for Ui§ 
e lisaf • 

q» hai»i «Mi> Aon*. &c.] TbtfA in Khtff John : 
hun, Uiat Mil'st me be content wert KfiiQp 
v^ naA »Uad't%>ii* to thy uiother s womb, 

. tin{ ti]«rk>i 

u itc.) Tbifjc limri of Mm*- 
i>,j.i>l4ilDU from a pretty Gntek 

(X*«c HpiJC. MiXirij, rftc X"P«f Aeiyvijc 

DOMD, 
, Vi.t\.r bMf a Aorry kind of ao ip- 
> •ver wil be wheD rbe 
iitcmJIiy sp^tkU to 
k /.^ ■:. ; mi. 





With your hyperboles of praise ponr*d on them, 
My modesty to a defensive red, [pleosed 

StTBw'd o'er that pateiveaa, which you th«?n were 
To style the purest white. 

Makf, And iu that cup 
I drank the poison I now feel dispersed 
Through every rein anil artery. Wherefore art ^bou 
So cruel to me 1 lliis thy outward Mhape 
Brought a fierce war against me, not to be 
By flesh and bbod resisted : but to leave ma 
No hope of freedom, from the ma^^ine 
Of thy mind's forces^ treacherouKly thon drew*st up 
Auxiliary helps to strooj^thea that 
Which was already to iti^elf too potent. 
IHiy beantj gave the Br«t charge, but thy duty, 
Seconded with thy care and watchful studies 
To please, and ^erve my will, in all that might 
Raise up corrtent in me, like thunder brake th rough 
All oppoaitioQ ; and, my rank* of rouon 
DiA banded, ray victorious passions fUl 
To bloody i^xecution^ and compelled me 
With willing hand a to tie on my own chains , 
And, with a kind of flattering joy, to glory 
Jn my captivity, 

Theoc, I, in this von ipeak, lir. 
Am iguoranee itself* 

MaieJ\ And so continue ; 
For knowletlge of the arms thou henr*st agsinat me, 
^Vould make the© curse thyself, but yi*'ld no aid,-! 
For tliee to help me , and 'ti^ ere cruelly 
In me to wound that ipotless innocence, 
HoweVr it make me guilty. In n word, 
Thy plurisy • of goodness is iby ill ; 
Thy virtues vices* and thy humble lownesa 
Far worse tlian stubborn Mullennesa and pride ; 
1 by looks, that raW^h all beholders else. 
As killing; as the bosiliak's, thy tears, 
Eipress'd in sorrow for tbe much I suffer, 
A glorious insultatioa t, *nd no sign 
Of pity ill iliee : and to hear tboe Hpeak 
In thv defence, though but in wdent action, 
\Vouid make the hurt, already deeply fenter'd. 
Incurable : and therefore, aa thou ivouldst not 
By thy presence raise fresh furies to torment me, 
I do conjure tliee by a father'^ power, 
(And 'tis my curse I dare not tliiuk it lawful 
To a lie unto thee in a nearer nimie,) 
Without reply to leave me, 

Theec. My obedience 
Ni^ver learo'd yet to question iTiur commandS| 
But willingly to Ber\'e them ; yel I must, 
Sim*? tliat your will forbids* the knowledge of 
iMv fault, lament mv fortune. [Erit. 

Malej: O that 1 
Have reason to discern the better way. 
And yet purane the worse } ! When 1 look on her, 
I burn wttli heat, and in her absence freese 
With th« cold blasts uf jealousy, thai another 

* 'r% pi\ih«y tj/ ifoodntM if thp lit ;] I. e. thy tupcmbiiiir 
cUnce uf eu'idne** : thv ilMni|;hi li tmm Sbskaiicarc : 
" For t(tKidti«>!tt ^rowliiK to M piuriaff, 
0iei ki hlB uwn tm» mncb/' 
Fur thif, the olil copy read* the ; it li, bowevcr, Ma virMeet 
error of ihc pieM>. 

^ A g\t}rium ifuuttation,} nird in the seme of gloriomtM, 
Stt nij««f ii> Act. i, «, I. 

I M-ilcf. O that I 

Hare rvaKon to ili*rrm the brttrr toof , 

And^t pHtwtu! tftf worm !] This ti*d been iski ticfore bjr 

w4difo metivrat jmttottu. 



\ 



JMtricru te^pt^r. 



B f 



5« 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



lActiv; 



Should e cr taste tbose delighu tluit are denied me \ 
And which of these afflictions brings lent torture, 
I hirdJy can distingauh : I a there tlieti 
No mem T No ; so my trnderstttudiag- tetU me. 
And that bv my cross fiiteo tt is detenmn^ 
Thtl I KXk both WBj* wretched. 

EnUr Uflher awd Mosstueville. 

I'thef. ^'otidec be wnlkit, ur, 
In much vexmtion : be halh Ht'nt mj ladj. 
His daughter, weepiog^ in ; but what the cause is. 
Rests yet in »up[>0!<iti<)n. 

Montr ^ I gxj^iHi St it, 
But must be further saiiafied ; I wiU aift him 
In TiriratD, therefore quit the room. 

Usher, 1 am gone, air. [t'lif* 

Maief. Hn ! who dLiturba me ? MoutreviUe f your 
pardon, 

MmtlT. Would vou could ^^rant one to yourself! 
With the assurance of a fn^'nd, and yet, [i apeak it 
Before it be too late» make n^pnmiion 
Of the ^rOHS wro«|j your indiacrution offered 
To the governor and his »on \ nay, to yourself; 
For there h^pn^ uiv Horraw. 

Mait}\ Would I had 
No ^^reater ciiuHe to mourn, tban their displeasure * 
For 1 dare justify 

Mm\tr. We must not do • 
All that Wf dare, W e're private, friend. 1 observed 
Vonr alt«'niiions with u stridor f^ye, 
F(*r];iH|b»^ ihan others ^, and, to lost* tio time 
In repetition, ymir atraifge demeuuour 
To your sweet daughter. 

MfiUf, Would you could find out 
Some other theme to treuf of. 

Moutr, None but tljis; 
And thi!* Vi\ dwell on ; how ridiculous, 
And Riibj«ct to construction 

Mafff. No more ! 

M^ntr, You made yourself, amazes me, and if 
The frequent trials interchanppd between us 
Of ip%'<? sind friendfihip, he to tlieir desert 
>lsteem'U by you; m tbt^y hold weight with me. 
No inwtird trt>uljle should be of n shape 
So hornd to yourself, but that to me 
You ittund bound to disco%'er it, and unlock 
Your seeret'sl thoughts ; though the most innocent 
Loud crying nins. [were 

Malfj. And so, perhft[^s, tliey lire : 
And thi^refore be not curious to learn that 
Which, known, must make you bate me. 

Mimtr. Think not to, 
I am yours ill right and wrong; nor shall yrui 6nd 
A rerbal friendship in me, but an active ; 
And here 1 vow» f ^ball no sooner know 
Wbat the disease is, but, if you give leuve, 

I will apply » remedy* Is it madness \ 
t I am familiarly acquainted witb 

* If '« mv»t not dOt &c.] Thli ai]4 the two nrxt spM^clte* 
are JamhlMl eniinrly odi of mvirt by iht- nnKtrii} vdiiMrv. 

II •crtn* odd lliat lfa«> iJioqIiI ai»t knuw v^bcThtT ilii-> were 
prtflliDK prMf or venw 

* / am/4a>HHarlf acquainted with u 4^ef>rea/i man, 
Tlkai torn u>ilk ekarmt uttd htrb*] iio ila- lluc-i ^uaA in 

«11 the f dUjion* : upon wtiirli Mr^ M- Mamid reuurk>» fnr 
IIh* ftn«< timiv llmt \ht milre rt^uirea 4 <Ulli ffi»i dtvii^iuH. 
Tlii* » well (hoii^hl of f lii bi< edillun, the L'tmatfjral 
VamiHit ttjmdlt lowafH» thv eu^l nf ttir ihlrd %-tjlatnrp aud, to 
>pKuk rtKKlrrjiirly, I h»vc «lrc«f1y correctH his vrrtiftcHhoa 
ill it Suiulr«tJ pUrfK within ilic cuni^^M of a« many pa^eJ^; 
nay, of tive Utik which ha» pAVM-il »lnc« th« enlraac« of 
MoQirevide, nearlji^ a iii«firi> b4« iinck-n^oae « u«w arraayr- 



A deep-read man, that can with ehanua and berbi 
Restore you to your reason ; or suppose 
You ore bewitch 'd ? be with more potent 2»pells 
And magical rites shall cure you. Is't ii«tVMli 
anjj^erl 

W' ith penitence and sacrifice sppeane it : 

Beyond this, there is nothing thftt I cftn 

Imagine dreadful ; in your fume and fortimes 

You are secure ; your impious son removecl too, , 

That rendered joo suspected to the 8t«te j 

And yotir &ir daughter | 

MaU^', Oh ! press me no further. [batli lip 

Montr, Are you wrung there ! Wliy, whit of bcrl' 
Made shipwreck of hor honour, or conspired 
Agamst your life T or seal'd a contract fyith 
The devd of hell, for the recorery of 
Her young Inamorato T 

MuteJ. None of these; 
And yet, what must increase the w onder in TOV« 
Bemg innocent in herself, she hath wouAded mB'f 
But where, enquire not. Yet, I know not how 
I am pefiuaded, from my confidence 
Of your vow'd lore to me, to trust you with 
My dearest secret ; pray you chide me for it. 
But with a kind of pity, not insulting 
On my c:ilnmity. 

Montr. Forward. 

Mule/, This same daughter — 

Monir. What is her fault t 

MuieJ. She is too fair to me. 

Mufi'tr, Hal how \s this? 

Mofff, And I hare look'd upon her 
More tlian a father should, and langtusb to 
Enjoy her as a husband, 

Mttutr. Heaven tbrbid it ! 

Malrf, And «hm IS all the comfort you can giye me! 
IVhere are your promised aids, your chariDs, your 

herbs, 
Yotir deep-fead sobolar^s spells and magic riles f 
Can all these disenchant me T No, I must b« 
My own physician, »nd upon myself 
Practice a desperate en re. 

Mouir. Do not contemn me : 
Enjoin me what you please, w^th any hajMirl 
riluiKleTtake it. Whnt means have yots pncllMd 
ToqueiK'h tills hellish liret 

Makj\ All 1 could think on, 
But tri no purpose i und yet sometimes sbMiics 
Does yield a kind of iatermis^iun to 
1 he fury of the fit* 

MoHtr, See her no more, the^i. 

Mate/, Tis my hist refuge, and 'twas my intent. 
And a^l *tis, to desire your helpr 

MotitT, Command iL N^^ 

Mtit^f. Til us then : you have a fort, of which you 
The n.b»olute lord, whrther, I pray you, bear her : 
Aud that the night of her may not again 
Nourish ihose flames, whtcb I feel something 1i«aen*d 
By all the lies of friendship I cotijure you, 
A. ad by a solemn oath you must cc«i£rm it. 
That though my now calm'd passions should ra<r** 

higher 
Than erer heretofore, and so compel me 
Once more to widib to see her ; though I as* 
Persuasions mii'd wiiJj threstninga, (nay, add to it. 
That 1, this failmg, should with handa li»^ld up iho*' 
Kneel at your feet, and batht» them with tears 
Pray*-ra or curses, vows, or imprecntions. 
Only to look upon her, though at distance 
You still must be obdurate. 



Sc«jf» IT.] 



THE UXNATURAL COMBAT 



Umttr. ir it be 
Yoar pleasttre, iir, tluit I «batl he unmoved^ 
I will cndeaTour. 

Mai^. You miut «w«iar to be 
Ixtexorabl^, ai you wcMild }>r«vent 
Tk« j«T««ieflt iiii«obief to your friend, tbat fitte 
Could throw upon bim* 

Mtmtr, Well, I imII obey you. 
But how the governor n ill be Aa»wer*d yet, 
And 't^ maiariml, is not constdt^r^d. 

Matrf, Ltftve thut to me. VU pr^tnentlr g^ive order 
How you shall stttprise ber ^ b« not frigbtod with 
If«r «xoli]iitiioiu. 

Mmitr, he you eouitaat to 
Yoar reaoluticMi, 1 will not fail 
Iq what couoemj my part. 

Mai^^ Be ever bleaa'd forHf [£i«itNr. 



SCENE IL^^ Strett. 
E.mer Be^autout Junwr, Cbamovt, tin/! Lat^ovh. 

Cham. Not to be spoke wilb, soy you ! 

Bmuf.Jufu No* 

ijatu NofTOU 
Admitted to have conference wiili li«r ? 

Bmt^^Jtm, NVitber. 
file doors axe fiu»t lock'd up, and solirnde 
Dwells rocind about them, no acce»fi allow 'd 
To rrjead or ecieniy ; but 

Cham, Kay, be not moved, air ^ 
L^t his pas«too work, luid, like a bot^rein'd horse*, 
*Twin c)uick]y tire ilielf, 

Bruuf. jiin« Or in bis death, 
Vt'bich, for ber sake^ 'till now I have forborn, 
I will r«v«nge tb** injury be butb done to 
My true and bwful love^ 

Lan, How does your father. 
Til© ^remor, relish it ! 

Btauf.jun, Troth, be never bad 
Affedloni to the match ;; yet io hi» pity 
To me, he's gone in person to bis houw^ 
Nor wilt he he denied ; and if be Bnd not 
Strong and fair reasons, Malefort will bear from bim 
In a Jciud be does not look for« 

Cham, In the mean Hme, 
Pray yoo put on cheerful looks* 

Enfrr Moxtaicni;* 

Beouf.jun. Mine suit my fortttue, 

LaM. O here's Montaigne. 

MiamL I nerer could have met 3^u 
More opportunely. Ill not stele tbe jt-st 
By my relation f ; but if you will look on 
The nmleeontent Belgsrde, newly rigg'd up, 

• amdi Hkt a h'^-TtiH*d 4u»rv, 

TmUifuicy^ tin itM{f.] Tin* i* ftom SbftkjpraR, 

" Anxvr If like 

A ftaJl bot hone, wito twinit aJlow'tl bis wiy, 
Seif-ni^nk iire» Mm/' Coxktss, 

♦ Jn mot itale the jet* 

Bw "^ rriatitm ;] L e. render It Itat, deprive it of *ert by 
pRVKMii iBtiotirioo. Tbb It one of a iH^wMtid iii»taiiccB 
which m%^\ \k br^a%H to pnivc ihal the true reading io 
Oriff/oRtta, An. i. wt. i. !•, 



Hfe. Tt 



it ifi«>> br. >o« liavc beard it ; 



prrve» my uurpusc, I will veiatari: 

Theobald jodinottiry 
< t« petnlsntiy emiai^, 



With the train that follows him, 'twill be an objeei ' 
Worthy of your noting. 

Eeauf.juM, Look you tl>e comedy 
Make g'ood the prolog^ue, or tlje scorn wilt dwell 
Upon yourselC 

MimL I'll basard that ; observe now. 

BcLGAitpa tomn out m agaihnt habii ; gtaytutUm 
</iwr uilA hit *iivrd drmvm. 

Stmrai voice* uithht. N»y. captain I glorious 

captain ! 
Bttg. Fall bnck, m8c«ls ' 
0o you make an owl of me ! tliis doy I will 

Receive no more petitions. - 

Here ore bilU of all occasions, iind ull aiiei* ! 
If this be the pleasure of a rich suit, would f wcrt 
Ap,ain in my buff jerkin, nr my nnnour ! 
Then 1 walk'd securely by my creditors* noses, 
Kot a dog marked me ; every ofliccr slmnn'd me, 
And not one lousy prison would receive me : 
litit now^ as the ballad says, I am turn d gallanl. 
There does not live that thing I owe a sous to, 
But does torment me. A fiuibful eobler told me. 
Witli his awl in Itis hand, I was behindhand with 

him 
For setting me upright, smd bade me look to myself* ' 
A sempstress too, that traded but in socks, 
*Swore sbe would set a serjeaut on mv back 
For a borrow 'd shirt : ray pay, and the benevolencs 
TIjp governor and the states bestow VI upon me. 
The city corraorantji, my money-mongers^ 
linve swallow*d down already ; thny were sums, 
I grant, — but that I should be surh a fool. 
Against my OMlh, being a csshier'd captnin. 
To pay debts, though grown up to one and twenty, 
Deserves more reprehension, in my ju figment. 
Than a shopkeeper, or a lawyer that leads money. 
In a long, dead vdcittion. 

Mont* How do you like 
Ilia meditntiun 1 

Ch<itn» Pt^ce f let him proceed, 
lietg* I cannot now go on the score for shnrue. 
And where I shall begin to pawn — ay» marr)% 
That is considered timely ! 1 paid for 
111 is imin of yours, dsme' Estridge '/fourteenerowns, 
And yet it is so light, *twill hardly past 
For a tavern reckoning, unless it be 
To save the charge of painting, nail 'd on a poet 
For the sign of the feathers. Fox upon the fashion, 
Ihat a captain cjinnot tliink himself n captain, 
If be wear not this, like a fore-horse ! yet it is not 
Staple commodity : tht^ne are perfumed too 
O* the Roman wash, snd yet a stale red herring 



*o, iodccd, It doet, an<l mmny other ihlnga ; n^one of which« 
however, t^tsr any rtrlitluii i« tbc lexi, iSteevcnt, Uw, pre- 
fer! weals, i^hh'h he provtf, from a virlety of Icnrntrd auiboK 
rjticj, lo lacan " scjuUt, «li»pert«, tprv«d :" to inAlii: may or 
tltem^ liuwwer, toil hii porpoic, he ii obliectl to gi\c an 
anfaiihfal vi-raion of ihv t«xt : " Tlioiiglt mimf t{f jfttu iiBve 
heard tbr ttm-y, I wilJ wprtod it yet widt-r, nml diifufec U 
among the rr*t.'*\ Th<Te i« nothiii|>; of thi» in ShAlo^irnre ; 
and iiid(,>ed 1 cannot avoid (ookiD^ upun ihc whc.4« <>f bU 
loBlT note, a» a feeble attetnpl lu Ju^iiJy a pailp*lilif error of 
tbe preu, at the ro?l f>f laefe and ten At. 

The itiistakr§ «if Su-evcnt are [King^Toui, iih<1 fhonld b# 
noticed. They have svduced the edluu» uf Beanitiont hmY 
Pletrbvr, who havt brongbl buck Io the lexl of thtir aulbor*, 
a «urrn(illu«i loug fince reitiovwl^ <jn the amhorlly (an Ibry 
«av) of thr t|tMiiutli>rk* prodoced in the tiute to CWio/cifmt 
S<^Vut. vil. p. 2M. 

• -I paid for 

ThU train tififtturi, dmme EMtrii/'yt,] i. e. 1hi« tail ,' tliers 
It liitne (rumour In ihli Lively apostrophe tw the oairlclb. 







THE UNNATURAL CGIiIBAT- 



1%ctI7- 



Would fill llie belly bBtt^T. and hurt the head bia: 

And tbia is Venice gcjld ; would I hnd it again 

la French crowna in my nocket ! you com- 

manden, 
That, hke top. hft^e no dead poys, nor can ttnm 
Th** romuiis*iiry at a muater *» let me stand 
For nil pxainple to you ! as you would 
Unjuj your privileges, videiieet, 
To My your debu, and take your letcbery grins v 
To nave your iasne wftrni*d by others firw; 
To be often drunk, and awear, yet pay no Ibrfeil 
To tbe poor» but when you ihare with one another ; 
With alj your other choice inimunitiea : 
Only of tliia I serlouitly advi^ you, 
Let courtier* f trip like courtiers, and your lorda 
Of «iirt and dunghills mvte their woo<U »ad acres, 
In reWets, aatiua, tissues! ; but keep you 
Constant to cloth nud ahamoi^ 

MimC. Have you heard 
Of such a penitent homUy "? 

Beig, I am studying now 
When! I shall hide myself till tbe nimotir of 
My wealth and bravery vanish J : let mi* see, 
There is a kind of raylting bouse not fur off, 
Where I used to spend my aflemoons, among 
Suburb ahi* gamesters ; and yet, now 1 tbink on't, 
I hairi'' cnick'd a rin^or twu there, which they m-ide 
Others to solder : No • 

Enter a Bawd, and two Courtexans with two CkildrtH. 

1 Court. O I have we spied you 1 [time, 

Eftwti, Upon him without ceremony t now's the 
Willie he's in the puying vein, 

% CourL S»veyou, bnive captato! 

bmuj\jitn. 'flight, how heBt«rej» I they are worse 
than die- wolves to him, 

Beig* Shame me not m tlie streets ; I was coming 
to you* 

1 CowrL O sir, you may ia public piiy fur the 
You had in private. [Addling 

i* Ctmrt. We bear you are full of crowns, sir, 

1 Court. And thertsfore, knowing you are open- 
htmded, 
Before all be destroy 'd, FU put you in miad, air. 
Of your young heir her^, 

t Cmtrt. Here*s a second, sir. 
That looks for a chdd^s portion. 



That, liktm^, Kdircne disafl pAvt, nortnn cos^n 
The cummifMary at a mivjritrr^j 1\\e c«illua'»i^ pmrlicef 
here allnded to (at Mr. GilchriM ob5ii>nt-r<) appcir imA to 
Jmvc bi'i'ti ttnrti<<)tienT, fln.rl iiiilc4*d, RirW. D'Avmant, uiib 
tht9, mfationi many similar conuptiuot in ihe '■* w«r dvpurt- 
mcDL"' ur bii \\IU<: I 

" Can >tm \mx p^W t)ic ?t*tc finely , 
MuiHertip yoor jtminunithiii ca^fock^ Miiircil \iiih »Lrd.w, 
Number b bumlrvfl tprty dine dead fn$f/». 
And ttisnk heaven for >'oiir dilcliiiMUi-k r 
Csoaot ytm cloilic ytmr r2|£gt.Nl kiiUntry 
With MbbAge leave* f dv^uur \\iv n^ckiitdn^, 
Atttt c^t^tw iMt 111 tlir riNi, bill yoti tnitnl bind«*r 
P»Kir wucictitu from i;>iil«| wjirm town" 7 he Si^iff^Act UU 
t Lit rtmrfirrg, Ac] The vciidir i*iU nm^W nt ihv «i"rii- 
Ti*W aollmilft of iticlrc ihi|i*r>»#d hy Mir fornnr cditur* : Ihii 
and Um' tcmr fMlkiMriuie nii«« BtJiiid thus m Cuiictor, and Mr. 
R. Mit^'ii : 

i-f ' r/turtiertt 

A" ' ftnd dunghifli nwt* 

Ti'v . in Trtvett.mxtmM, timw^ ; 

Hut /fr^ ' to cloth a*$d thantaiM, 

Wi'iil ' rd o/rtwha pffutmt kftmflg .' 

t Mjf uvnlf' .ty vanish:] Hruvtrg b Hiol by 

■II Ibc 'vritcra <4 :Ujji4JUi^i.r's lim«, Aur ovtvnUilWai Auery of 



HeviQA witb 



BauxL There are reckonings 
For muskadine and eggs too, mnat be thought oo* 
I CourL We have not been hasty, sir. 
Bawd, But staid your leisun : 

But now yon are ripe, and loeden with IVnit ' 

« Cffurt. Tia fit you should be poll'd ; bete's a bof, 
Pray you, kiss him, 'tis your own, air. [skt, 

l' Court. Nay. buss this first. 
It bath just your eyes ; and luch a promising OiMi, 
That if the sij^n deceive me not, in time 
'IVill prove ii nutable stfiki?r*. like hU ^tbfllC* 
Heig. And yet you laid it to anuther. 
1 Ciiiirf. True, 
While you wtT« poor ; and it wna policf ; 
Hut she thut has ninety of fiirhers, 
And makes not choice of him that can mainiBiiL 1^ 
Ne'er studied Aristotle t- 
Lan* A smart quean I 

Betg. \\ by, braches, will yott wotty sib | ! 
t CifurL No, but ease you 
Of your gnlden burtben > the beery earni^ mty 
Bring you to a sweatiog sickness. 

J^. Very likely; 
I foam all o'er already* 

1 Cmirt. Will you come off, sir ^ I 
Ue%. Would I had ne'er come oat 
patience, 
Or I will anger you. Go to, yoa kiu>w me. 
And do not vex me furtber ; oy roy sins. 
And your di^ea^s, which arv certain trutbsj 
Whute er you think, 1 am nut master, at 
This instant, of a livre. 

t Vem-t, What, and in 
Such ft glorious suit \ 

Btig, The Likcr, wretched things, 
To have no money. 

Buivd. Yoii may pawn your clothes, sir. 
I Vaurt, Will you see your issue starire ! 
9 Court. Or the mothers beg 1 | 

Btig. Why, you unconaciooable strumpets, 
M ould you have me 
Transform ray hat to double clouts and biggina ! 
My rorsek't to n cradle? or my belt 
To itwaddlebandis I or turn my chxik ta blankeia? 
Or to sell my sword and spiirii, for soap end candlesl 



* *7\irUt prtmf a notabU ktrlker,] A tfrikt^ H m m im» e /i$ r: \ 
Ibe word cwt iirs agJiiii in th* Pttrfuiment ^f £.^atk, 

♦ jWtrttHditd ArtMloite.l Thii* h:u bcin hltlicrtoprialcd, i 
AViT studied ArUi*tWt nrubkoii : a pTuijui. r.i.l(ii.,l .i.r* , 
i.\t which fvtrv reader of Mgi»jiuierr will r- 

I Iklc. Hhy, brachcA, iH// yra foorry •" 
n lefn^te houod. It It slnii)t<r to »« wbai , 
hAvv hc'cn wasted la ecmfMUDdUig ibc «« 
wi>rdf Tlir pBg» trf Sl)Ak«pcarc, aD<l Ji.»ii 
mr« l«cunit>er«l wiih eiidltM attulitfionv , 

Idve (tie rt'adcr sa li^tuiraal ■> ibvy runnd Xatn.. Oa 
cvrr, vvtiicb ba« escaped ibe «o(auuittNion» wi 
mute rial pnrt or U, U wurth alt Ihii ihe) b«Ye iidvafi 
Ibe wufd. TheGenfJtrman'a H^'^^TnitHm*p>1^. •'Thl 
la EnilNnd pitid JicotlMnd iwu kind* uf tiamln| 4o^ i 
'whftm cl^e in ib« work) , the brat kind la call«| af ' 
tbl» i* A fiHit fccuiJn^ crt-'ature bo(b of wiUle bea 
fi«he» alio which iW hW amooc tbe ruck*. H^fimti^X 
in t'ttffiand if called a brache .* a hratk* it a HAM ' 
NhVKfiit »]] \wHtn\ biU'hfM :" iini\ yvhvn vtt ttdd/breHs 
ft wdl t>e alluded tlul eauuKh ban tieca aalbd aa Ike I 
$ 1 Cuflit. Mj//g/o« come ofl, fir '] Lt. Hill yoe ^ 
«o tbi* word I* uieil by all our mUI dminailc writers: 

" tfh* 

In the old juM ice's &iiii, whom bv ivt>b'd lalety, 
WIU comt q/Troandly, we'll *el blin free Imi.** 

Tf^ ITktetf. 
Again, in the fVeddtnfi, by ShiHey : 

** Wbal waa lli« prka yin look li>r r.ntbna I 
Dkl Marwead etm* «ff rvaadly wiib tib )^«f va r* 




SCEWX L] 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



55 



Hare yoa no mercy t wliat a chargeable devil 
We cam in oar breedies t 

fiesu/. jwi. Now 'tis time 
To fetch him o£ 

Enter BxArroBT mtdor, 

MorL Your father does it for nfl» 

Batod, The governor ! 

Beauf.sen. What are these? 

1 Court, An it Kke your lordship. 
Very poor spinsters. 

BawL I am his nurse and laundress, 

Beig. You have nura*d and launder'd me, heU 
Tanish ! Ttake you for it I 

CkoMu Do, do, and tslk with him nereaner* 

1 CmarL Tis our best course. 

f Court, Well find a time to fit him. 

[Exeunt Bawd and Courtetant. 

Bmuf. wu Why in this heat, Belgardel 

Belg, You are tne cause oft. 

Boauf. sen. Who. I? 

Belg, Yes, your pied lirery and your gdd 
Draw these vezations on me ; pray you strip me. 



And let me be as I was : I will not lose 
The pleasures and the fireedom which I had 
In my certain poverty, for all the wealth 
Fair France is proud oL 

Beauf. ten. We at better leisure 
Will learn the cause of this. 

Beauf.jun, What answer, tir^ 
From the admiral 1 

Beai^. ten. None ; his daughter is removed 
To the fort of Montreville, and he himself 
In person fled, but where, is not discover'd ; 
I could tell you wonders, but the time denies me 
Fit liberty. In a word, let it suflice 
The power of our fpneet master is contemn'd 
The sacred laws of God and man pro&ned ; 
And if I sit down with this injury, 
I am unworthy of my place, and thou 
Of my acknowledgment : draw up all the troops ; 
As I go, I will instruct you to what purpose. 
Such as have power to punish, and yet spare. 
From fear or^ from conmvance, others ill. 
Though not in act, assist them in their will. 

lExeunt. 



ACT V. 



SCENE ly—A Street near Malbfort's Houte. 

Enter MoNTREviLLta^ftfc Servants, Thsocmnb, Page, 
and Waiting Women. ^ 

Montr. Bind them, and gag their mouths sure ; 
I • 



Will be your convoy. 

1 Worn. Madam! 

« Worn. Dearest lady! 

Page. Let me ^ht for my mistress. 

Serv. Tisin vam. 
Little cockerel of the kind. 

Montr, Away with them. 
And do as I comtaiand von. 

{Exeunt Servantt wUh Page and TTatftii^ Women. 

Theoe. MpDtreville, 
Yoa are my Adier's friend ; nay more, a soldier. 
And if a right one, as I hope to find you. 
Though m a hnrfol war vou had surprised 
A ei^, that bow'd humbly to your measure, 
In hooofir you atand bound to guara a virgin 
From violence ; but in a free estate. 
Of whidi you are a limb, to do a wrong 
Wlueh noble enemies never consent to. 
Is audi an insolence 

MMikr. How her heart beats* ! 
Mttch like a partridge in a sparhawk^s foot. 
That with a panting silence does lament 
The fate she cannot flv from ! Sweet, take comfort, 
Yoa are sale, and nothing is intended to you, 
Hot love and service. 

Tkeoe, Thef came never clodied 
In force and ootraffe. Upon what assurance 
^Baosembertng on^ that my frtther lives. 
Who will not tamelv suffer the disgrace) 
Have you preaumea to hurry me from his house, 

• Moatr. Bom her heart beaie t Stc) ThU U a verv pretty 
•iinilc, and, though sot altoftther af w, la made striking by 
the elcfance with whkh it b exprencd. 



And, as I were not worth the waiting on. 
To snatch me from the duty and attendance 
Of my poor servants ? 

Montr. Let not that afflict you. 
You shall not want observance ; I will be 
Your page, your woman, parasite, or fool. 
Or any other property, provided 
You answer my affection. 

Theoc. In what kind t 

Montr. As you had done young Beaufort's. 

Theoe. How! 

Montr. So, lady ; 
Or, if the name of wife appear a yoke 
Too heavy for your tender neck, so I 
Enjoy you as a private friend or mistress. 
Twill be sufficient. 

Theoe. Blessed angels guard me ! 
What frxmtless impudence is this ? what devil 
Hath, to thy certain ruin, tempted thee 
To offer me this motion 1 by my hopes 
Of after joys, submission nor repentance 
Shall expuite this foul intent. 

Montr. Intent! 
Tis more. Ill make it act 

Theoe. Ribald, thou darest not : 
And if (and with a fever to thy soul) 
Thou but consider that I have a father. 
And such a father, as, when this arrives at 
His knowledge, as it shall, the terror of 
His veneeance, which as sure as fate must follow. 
Will make thee curse the hour in which lust taught 

thee 
9o nourish these bad hopes ;— -and 'tis my wonder 
Thou darest forget how tender he is of me. 
And that each shadow of wrong done to me. 

Will raise in him a tempest not to be [bim 

But with thy heart-blood calm'd : this, when I af^, 

Montr. As thou shalt never 

Theoe, Wilt thou murder me ? 



56 



im UNNATinAL COMBAT, 



tArry.' 



Mantr. No, no, tis otH«rwis« [h*tf>mim«>4» fooL 
Tlir* maiter which in passton Icilh liis alave 
That niny b# useful to him. dm-a hitnsetf 
Tht^ injur)': know, iJioti must wreTclifd i-riL'flture. 
Tlmr fuiher thou presume«i upon, rhwt futher, 
That, when I ftoug^ht thee in n noble woy, 
Denii*d thee to tne, fancying in his hope 
A hiL-Iwr match from hia excess of dotag^e. 
Hatli in his b <we1s kindte^l »tuchaflame 
Of impioas and most unniUumI lust^ 
That now he fears his mn#t furious desires 
May force him to do ihnt, he sbaice^ to thitik on» 

Theoc. O me, most wretrhed ♦ 

Monfr. Nerer hope apinn 
To hlaat hjm vith tliose eves : their golden Iwum^ 
Ar» to him arrows of deal h and hell, 
Bat unto me divine artillery 
Aad tbefefori},, wince what t so long in vuin 
Pursued, U offer'd to me, und by btni 
Given up to my po«8«ft»ioii ; do not flatter 
Thyself with an una^^oary hpf>«, 
Bui that ril take occasion by the forelock. 
And mnke use of my fortuuf. As w© walk, 
ril tell th-*<j more. 

Thfoe. I will not atir. 

M(tuir> rn force ibee, 

Tht'oe. Help* ht'lp ! 

M^ntv. In vnin. 

Thtftr^ In niM mv hrotht'r'n blood 
I^ pmii.sircl lit tlif heiui'liT* 

Mimtr, Tbe couLb therif ! 

Theoc, Dear sir 

Montr. Tears, curaet, prayers, are alike to me ; 
I ciiii, and inuit enjoy my present pleasure, 
And ^liall take time to mituru for it nt leisure. 

[if* bean her o^'. 



SCENE IL— ^ Spnct before the FarU 
Entej' MALiiioKj* 

J hare play'd the fool, the gross fool, to beliere 

The hosom of a friend will hold a secret, 

Muw own could not contniTi ; and my industry 

In takm^^ liberty fWim ray innocent d8Ughter» 

Our of fahe bope* of iVi'^loiii to myself, 

J A, in thts little beJp it yiebk me* piinish'd, 

She'e abifuit» but 1 have her fij^ur*' here ^ 

And erery grace nnd mrity about her, 

Are by the jiencil of my memon', 

In hrinp colours painted on my hesrt. 

My ftrei too, a short interim closed up, 

Breuk out with g^reater fury. ^Vhy waa I* 

Since 'twaa mv liite, und not to be declined, 

In this so tender-ccinscienctMl 7 Say 1 bad 

Enjoy 'd what 1 desired, what bnd it been 

But incest T and there's somethiog here that tells me 

1 stand accompfnhle for fjretiter sins 

] never check d nt*. Neither bad ibe mme 

Wanted a precedent : I have rend in story t , 



• and there'* §mnetf>iHif hrrt ffuti t«lis me 

i »tuHd aotiJtnj.taBte for j/frutrr g/n* 

I mffftir chrt'k d at,] Thv*e tjjirk dllii'ititi* to « ilrr'niTftil 
ficU Arv iDlr'Kbtcril Willi ^difiirabJc Juc||;iiH>nl , Si tlw^y «wiikrn, 
itlilitmt eiviili>liig, llu. curiofeiiy oj Un rrudrr^ ukI cjuktiuue 
lluf iiili rf^t i>t the Utkr)% 

t - - - - / fnitv ft-nd in Btory, Av.] He liai! bci-n tfnily- 
iHg Oviit, ami |>tfllcr»t.ti1> the drcMrinil iinry itt \\)rt\i», 
Thk* wifich«.il Nticii^ii of MiiKfua (m Cb»i»ti«m, at k'ii>*l lu 
miiiiitf, me may »ap|w^*r) lu [idliirile, iwr Hefvnil hi* ln<^tMt«te(l 
crtiiii', by (he M^Timpke nt talHtlTiu* c1< lliv*, mro bi « «lstv 



ThoMS first great heroes, that for th«r bfiv« d««4( 

Were in tbe world's first infancy strled ftMl»« 

Frt*fly enjoy 'd what I denied myself. 

IJlil Snium, in the iplden a^, embnoed 

Hu aister Opa, and, in tbe Mime degree, 

Tbe Thunderer Juno. Neptune Theiis, and, 

By their example, after the 6r«t d(»liige, 

Deucnlion Pyrrha. Univer&al nature. 

As every day 'tis evident, allows il 

To creatures of all kinds : the ,.- " • ^ r.:;^ 

Covers tbe mare to which he \\ 

1 he bird with fertile s^^ed givr- • .»»p 

l*o ber tbat hotchM bim : why aliouid enrious man 

Brund tb«t close act, which *f)ds proiimity rihen 

Mo what's most near bim. with »hr abbortied titJe 

Of iuci^^st ? Of our Inlor luws forbid 

What by tlie tirst wa^i granted ? Let old men, 

Thut are not capable of the aw? del lights . 

And jiolemn Bujterstitious fools, prescribe 

Rules to rbeniselred ; I will not curb nav ffvedoin, 

But constantly go on, wiih thia assunince, 

1 but walk in a path which grenter men 

Have trod before me* llaT this is the fort : 

Open die gate ! Witliin, there t 

Enter tvo Soldiert* 

1 Sold. With your pardon 
We must forbid your entrance. 

Malrj\ Do you know me ? 

^ Sit'tii. Perfectly, my lord. 

Male/. I am [your] captain's Iriend*. 

1 Said. It may be ao ; but till we know hin pira 
Yon must excuse us. ['^nn, 

)t Sitid. Well acquaint bim with 
\ our WBJTjnp: here. 

MalrJ. W ajtijig, slave 1 he waa ever 
By me comnianded. 

1 Sofd, A a we are by bim, 

Mut^. 8o punctual I pray you tlien, in m^ osm^ 
liis presencf^, [mtrrai 

« Said. That we shall do. [Eiemiit 

Matef* 1 must nse 
^me strange persuasions to work him to 
Delivtfr her^^ and to forjcet the vows, 
And horrid oaths I, in my madneasj iniid«htm 
1 oke to the contrary ; and may I get her 
Once more in my possession, 1 will bear her 
Into some close cave or desert, where well end 
Our lusta and tires together. 

Enier MoHTiuviLL£, and Soldier«, 

Montr. Fail not, on 
The Itarfeit of your lives, to execute 
What I command. [Kieunt Sd^lfra* 

MuUj: 3Iontreville ! how is't friend 1 

Montr. I itm glad to see yott wetr sudi elie^ul 
Tbe world's weU alier'd. [lofikfl ; 

MuUf. YoBj 1 thajik my atara : 
But methinks thou art troubled. 

Miuttr. Some litjbt cross, 
But of no moment. | 



uf iiKlure, and Iku1«, is a jnRt ami ftrikjaf pidnra of thm 
etfgtfniriLt wlib vrliich a tnlDd rerclved f>«i fvflL mioisNn to 
iiR own tli'ccpikui, Th!f, in lh« Scripture |ihrM»o|op', k 
kMitlctl, " h^rrlt-niTiK the hrart ;'* and Mtfitit to b« fb* 1m| 
t\3^r fif tiumaji clcpravaiinn. 

• M.iU*f. f am (ycmr) captain'* frin%ii J Covctcr, A4)(nr> 
ing Ibe v]il copy, reAd*, J nm ihi* cnpfnin*» /irttmil. iff. U* 
iUnanii nlntrvAthig lu thp .' If ati} fhNUC« be nw^ c— ty, et 
wIdcJi 1 ajn dmitnttit, ibc word iwm iaserted liids lUfval M 
be genuine ((imiii«Kl Ln edit. ISlJi). ' 



tb= 



I-] 



THE UNNATURAL COMBATr 



57 



**. So I hope ; beware 

ftod impious tlioiights ; yon know bow far 

roueht on me* 

r. No flucb eome near me, sir. 

like joQ, no danghter, and mocb wisb 

rer had been cars*d witb one. 

: Who, I ? 

t deceired, I am most ^iqppy in her. 

r. 1 am gUid to bear it. 

'. My inoestnons fires 

her are quite burnt out ; J lore bar now 

ber. and no further 

\ Fix there then 

nstant peace, and do not try a second 

don from her. 

'. Yes, friend, though she were 

ons of degrees more excellent 

•erfections ; nay, though she could borrow 

angelicsl to take my frailty, 

I not do: and therefore, Montrerille, 

f delight next her, I come to tell thee 

emor and I are reconciled, 

)nfirm*d, and with all possible speed, 

> large satisfaction to young Beaufort, 

, whom I have so much wrong'd : and for 

ible in her custody, of which 

discharge thee, there is nothing in 

'^es or fortunes, but shtEill erer be 

levotion. 

. Vou promise fairly, 

bt I the performance ; yet I would not 

T be reported to ha^e been 

icipal occasion of your falling 

lapse: or but suppose, out of 

ness of my nature, and assurance 

firm and can hold out, J could consent ; 

ds must know there are so many lets* 

ke against it, that it is my wonder 

T me the motion ; having bound me 

ths and imprecations on no terms, 

, or arguments, you could propose, 

lould admit you to her sight, 

ss restore ber to you. 

Are we soldiers, 
id on oaths ! 

. It is beyond my knowledge 
we are more worthy, than in keeping 
ds, much more our vows. 

Heaven pardon all ! 
ny thousands, in our heat of wine, 
, and play, and in our younger days, 
te I may say, between oursdves, 
I of love, have we to answer for, 
re be scrupulous that way 1 

You say well : 
f aptl^r call to memonr 
IS against all ties and rites of friendship 
»y vou to me. 

No more of that. 

Yes, 'tis material, and to the purpose : 
(and think upon't) was, when I brought 

tant to my mistress then, ^the mother 

une daugnter,) whom, wiUi dreadful words, 

3ns to remember, you swore deeply 

ake never to attempt ; yet then, 

len you had a sv/eet wife of your own, 

tfd» mutt kmaw there art «o moMjf lets] I. c impe* 
bttMlcs,&c. ^te Ike ntym-Martvr, 



1 know not with what f>rts, philtres, and charms 
(Unless in wealth* and fame you were above me) 
Vou won her from me ; and, her grant obtained, 
A marriage with the second wait^ on 
The burial of the first, that to the world 
Brought your dead son : this I sat tamely down by. 
Wanting, indeed, occasion and power 
To be at the height revenged. 

Makf, Yet this you seem'd 
Freely to pardon. 

Jtfonlr. As perhaps I did. 
Your daughter Theocrine growing ripe, 
(Her mother too decea«ed,) and fit for marriage, 
I was a suitor for her, had your word. 
Upon your honour, and our friendship made 
Authentical, and ratified with an oath, 
She should be mine : but vowa witb you being like 
To your religion, a noae of wax 
To be tum'cT every way, that very day 
The governor's son but making his approaches 
Of courtship to her, the wind of your ambition 
For ber advancement, scattered the thin sand 
In which you wrote your full consent to me. 
And drew you to his party. What hath pass'd sin^, 
You bear a register in your own bosom, 
That can at large inform you. 

Malrf, Montreville, 
I do confess all that you chaise me with 
To be strong truth, and that f bring a cause 
Most miserably guflty, and acknowledge 
That though your goodness made me nune own judge, 
I should not shew the least compassion 
Or mercy to myself. O, let not yet 
My foulness taint your pureness, or my falsehood 
Divert the torrent of your lojral faith ! "^ 

My ills, if jiot return d by you, will add 
Lustre to your much gooa ; and to o'ereome 
With noble sufferance, will express your strength 
And triumph o er my weakness. If you pktae too 
My black deeds being only known to you, 
And, in surrendering up my daughter, buried. 
You not alone make me your slave, (for I 
At no part do deserve the name of friend,) 
But in your own breast raise a monument 
Of pity to a wretch, on whom with justice 
You may express all cruelty. 

Mentr. You much move me. 

Malrf, O that I could but hope it ! To revenge 
An injury is proper to the wishes 
Of feeble women, that want strength to act itf : 
But to have power to punish, and yet pardon. 
Peculiar to princes. See ! these knees. 
That have been ever stiff to bend to heaven. 
To you are supple. Is there anght beyond this 
Ihat may speak my submission ? or can pride 
nhough I well know it is a stranger to you) 
Desire a feast of more humility, 
To kill her growing appetite ? 

Montr. I required not 
To be sought to this poor wayt ; yet 'tis so far 

« ( Unleu in wealth, &c.] i. e. Unle$$ it were that m wealth. 
Sec 

t To revenge 

Am injurjf i§ proper to the wiehe$ 

Of feeble women, that want etrength to act it :] 

Qtdfpe numUi 

Semper et ir\firmi e$t animi erijfwque voluptae 
Vltio. Contimio eic coUige, quod vindicta 

Nemo magi* gamdetf quamjamina." 

Juv. Sat. xlll. in. 
t Montr. / reqmred not 
To be waiht to tMe poor wap ;] So the old copy : tli« 



I; 



TWK UNNATURAL COMBAT* 



tA«r^ 



A kfodof mtisAietJon, that I will 

DispenM a little with tboM teriaut oiths 

You made me take : your daoehter «hiill come to yott, 

I will not Mj, iu jou ddlvvrd ber, 

But &B il]« U. vou msy dispove of ber 

Ai Tou dball tnink mo«t requiiiitet f K^iL 

i!aUf\ Hi» Uut word* 
Arci riddles to me. Here the lioD*i force 
Would huve proved useless, and, pgninat mj nftture, 
Conjpell'd me from the crocodile to borrow 
Her connterfeit tears : tbere's now no tunuog^ b*ck* 

ward. 
Muj I but quench these fires that mg:e within me, 
And fidl wbiit am fnll, I sm arni'd to he^ tl ! 

Enter Soldiere, ihrusiing forth TfitocniNK ,- her 
garnnniti loow, hfr hair dithtt'elted, 

f Soid, You must be tmckifi;;. 

Thtae, Hith he robb*a me of 
^ Miii« honour, mid deuiei me now • foom 
To bide my ahame ! 

t Sold. My lord the ndminil 
Attends your tiuiysbip. 

I Sittdl Close ihe port, and leave them. 

fEifunt Soitiien, 
ler'd ! bow de- 
"formed ! 
It cannot be : and yet Ihii ereotufe hnA 
A kind of a resemblance to my daug^hter. 
My Theocrine ! but «a difteirnt 
From that ahe was, an bodies dpud are, in 
Their beat perfection ti, from what tliey were 
When tbey had life and motion. 

7^*foe* 'Tts most tTUf» sir; 
I am dead* indijed, to all hut miaety. 

oome not near me, atr, 1 am ijireetioua ; 
To look on me it dietance^ ui ns dun^^eroua 
Aa horn a piimtck's cloud -kisaing spire 
With giddy eyea to view the steep cfeacent ; 
But to acknowledge me, a oertain rain* 

O. air I 

Makf, Speak, Theocrine, force me not 
To furtljer qtiestion ; my fears tdready 
Have choked my vital spirits. 
I Theoc. Pray you turn away 
! Your fiice and hear me, and with my hist breath 
Give me leave to accuse you ; what olfenoe^ 
From my first infancy* did I commit* 
That for a puniuhment you aboiild give up 
My rirgtn chasiity to tlie treacheroua g:uanl 
Of ffostiHU ^Montreville I 

Mairf. V\ hat hath be done ? 

TUenc. Abused me, air, hy violence ; and thiatold* 

1 cannot live to speak more : may the cuuse 

10 you find jiardon, hut th<* apeeJini^ curse 
Of s ravish 'd maid fall heavy, lienvy on him ! 
Beaufort, my lawful love, farewell for ever. [Bits, 

flifMlrra editors, ignoriiiiit iof the laagUAgv of tJi« tjtite, wrbl- 
tmrily I'xclianj^v to fur in^ amJ Ihui pvi-vert lUc ftvuMi. Tn 
wttk to, ia lo ftipptk'die, lmiItcjiI^ have tsjimest reconrw i\\ 
arc. I «hicb i» llie ttiiritiilrtg of (lie lent. 

Thrrt wafr « bo^jk, niucli itatt by onr »ncc4tnr», from 
whiiit, •* tH'int llie pnrv Uill higid of Bngllalt (.troMS iJucy 
rlrrhMl « nimfbrr of (jhrfl**-* \hM hivt *oivU pnrxird ihttSr 
rlcflccnilMut*. Thi» txx'k ^ ' ; • itunaulysitU iniii^l»ienc«, 
I* Ut* fllUlv : Ku^l 1 V. in, Midtoni feJir i\t i><n- 

ltNitlcti«Mi| that ihu#c ■ i i'*o|;le \*L.i hn%c *lmlit'(! 

11 well. »ft » <MJ4ii|j«1i'r»i jitML'<v^ III iiir (iH-aniinK "f our attcicot 
4i*hlc'iit. 4» nu»\ of ihv firiruiirifiii of bliick Titvrnfure, Truiii 
Th4^b4l4l lu Si4'«vru«, Tbc t!X|)ieii«ir>D tti the text frvqnently 
iircnrt ill il : " AinJ Am '*t*9 <1ih'«H(1 Mi !»• fcil-jti in bl* 
iU»ii it»r III' ttn^ht Hut l0 Uiv LtJitl, but fn lihc (fh>>kiji*u.** 
?1 Ctirua. »vi, 1% 



Matrf, Take not thy Hig^ht ao aooo, ODiiiiietiiita 
Tie fled idready.^ — ttow the innoeenti ['f*'^ 

As in a (gentle slumber, pass awmy \ 
But to cut off tbe knotty thnwd of lift 
In guilty men, must force stem Atropos 
To use her sharp knife often. I would belp 
I'he eds^e of ber's with the sliarp point of mar, 
Uut that I dare not die, till 1 have rrat 
This dng'% heart piecemeal. O, that 1 bad wio^ 
To scale the»e walb, or that my hands were cumau, 
To bore their flinty aides ! that I migbt bris^ 
The villain in tbe reach of my good arword ? 
llie Turki-nh eujjiire offer'd for bia rvnaome, 
Should not redeem his life, O tbat mv rinem 
Were loud as tL under, and with borrid sound! 
Might force a dreadful passafe to bia e^rs. 
And through them reach his itoui ! lihidinoiUimotaittvl 
Foul rvvisher ! as thou dur»t do a deed 
Which fo refold the sun to hide his grtorloiim intm 
Behind a sable mask of cIouds« appettT, 
And as a man defend it ; or Uke me. 
Shew some compunction for iL 

Enter MoNTRFvrLLE oh thd WatU mbeof* 

Mflntr, Ha, ha, ha 1 

Makj. Is this an object to taue mirtb T 

Montr, Yen, yes. 

Mate/, My daughler'a de*d. 

NiUftr, Thou hadst best follow ber ; 
Or if thou art tlie tliine tbou art reportMi), 
Thou shouldiit have led the way. Do tear thy batr. 
Like a village nurse* and mourn, wldle I Uagb stthec^ 
Be but a just i^xamtner of iliyiielf. 
And in an equal hnloiice poiicthe notbing^. 
Or litth* mischief 1 have dcmi*, compared [tboQ 

Witb the pond'roua weight of tin ne ; and bow eamt 
Accus« or argue with me ] mme was a ^^pei 
And she being in a kind contntcted to ine« 
llie fact may challenge some qualiticatiua ; 
But thy intent made nature's self run bftclcwttrdf 
And done, had caused an earthquake* 

Enter Soldiers aftaniv 

1 SoM, Captain ♦ 

Mmtr. Ha! [«ttift^ 

2 fyoUl. Our outworka are surprised, tbe sentiad 
The coifm de guard defeated too« 

Montr, By whom ? 

1 Sotd, The Nudden storm and darknees of the niglit 
Forbids the knowledge ; make up apeedUy. 
Or all is Iwsti [Exnttit, 

Motitf\ In the devil^s name, whence ctimem 

this } [IjtL 

I A Surm ; with tkundtr anil tightnmgm 

Matff, Do, do rage on ! r^^nd open, .l^ulus. 
Thy braxen pns*in, iind let looj^e at once 
Thy stormy issue ! Blusteniig Boreas » 
Aided with all the scales the pilot uumbem 
Upon his compoMSf cannot nu^e a tempest 
1 ]irough tbe vast region of the air, like that 
1 feel Yi'ithin me : for I am posseiis'd 
With whirlwinds, and each guilty thought to me ta 
A dn^adful hurricano*. Though this cetitre 



• A ftrttvl/vt hiirrk»no.] go the i4il copy, sml riglilly j 

wttkli inrrt'ly ttc-ftroye (lie iTielre I Huw Ibry r< < 

iriifl tilt' tint', fbi]» (jrliitril. 1 CAiinui coiftriv*',' Wi 

[H hurticfinft I doubt "Mbcihrr it nan nmcli iii u 

aiPiKrr'* liiiiv ; ht- aotl liii conlFiiiuoraric* *JIituhi| iii^it|,^M> 

vtrllc hnrricano, \aft ii« fbf> nrrirtv« il frum ih«^ Purlttgi 

iisir.iuyr» of vuya|;i-*. Htc. 



THK UNNATURAL COMBAT- 



' «Ck hfmf( forth ««rth(mKkftt, utd bell opto 
li«r wtd#^^trt««>li'(l jtwB, md }H out ill ber furiet, 
Tli#T eftvmct tdd vi storn to The mogntJiiD 
Of itmr* umI t#rroor» dint «ftch iainut« threnten 
To Mi oo mj aociintd bM(L^> 



mmi^%/*jti of tmmnds, Uu^^ in th$ Shadow of « 
L^d^, ktrjat* ieprom* 

Ha \ is*t fimcy ? 
Or IwCli Wn )i«B-d nti.mad mHkt«s proof if I 
Dwe «ci)d tiM ln>| ? Ym, 1 do ; ftiid dow 
1 Ti^w tb»«c ippariDana, 1 Isel 
] on* did liiKnr*b€*ubst«aeM. F<Mrwluii«aBMjroti ? 
▲y« f^j«ir iiniil f mna depntw! of famgimge, 
AdiI to <lenkd to t«ll ■■•, tbat bjr autos 

[Thf GAorCi tut ^turu, 
r^m bid W Mb beiv of myielf •! Ti» ao : 
A«d tlMA M ioiDetbing ber« makei aniw«r for you. 
Voa eooa to kooe my iAar'd up con»ciience ; yes, 
" IP tllstmet m», tint tbo»e thunderbolts, 
t lMiii*d mm baidkiiia- from the height of glon% 
itli« boooon, worldly bippineAis, were furg«4 
PpoB tb« anri] of my itopiouA wron^i 
Am crudty co you ! I do coafp«s it ; 
And tiitt my lust cotnp«1lmg^ me ro mnke wny 
F«r« i»eoacl wife, 1 pPoisonM tUeo; and that 
i^TW raoae (which to llie world U uiKli^cover*d) 
t Ibived ibee to tbake off* thy fiUal duty 
i«, tby hshmtt bad it« ipritiD: iod source 
Fran thy impoCicace, to know thy mother » 
Tbat with all doty and obedkoce served me, 
flTor BOW with horror I acknowledge it,) 
BaJ W OT i d Boj natty : yet, thou b«inff my aoti, 

a eoffipcfteot jud&re marked out by beaten 
reTeu^r, wbicb thy fiilliij|: by 

baud confirm 'd. — \AfavNfrtd ttUi h^ iign** 

^Tia granted by tbee, 

Caa «ij penanoe expiate my guilt. 

Or em ivpaBlniee aare me ? — [Tht gftott$ dimypmr. 

They are vuntsih'd } 

WImI's M 10 do tb«a \ 111 ac^ruse my (at«, 
T^at dad aoc frabion ma for aobler ueie^ : 
For i£ iboiA mam croaa to me in my birtb, 
Hfll BOI 4imkA their pnwperoua influanco lo it. 
WidlMio* «f eonacieiio«, like to iJUioe«nt men, 
I aigBi b«r« wi a atd to be, aod not aa now, 

T<»««BMaqr cuM« of bt^ing 

[Iff It m*d \ciA afiuh rf UghtniHg. 

tmttr fiau&4aDt ui^ Sddlcra* 



Btijgt Umm'm a night 



tbee: 



T« MWM my aOkt T BufTjerkin, now 1 
TlmtlnM ioaared many foul nig:htii, but ni^ver 
Ont Wkm lo tbls. lIow'fiQo my feather lcH>k» now ! 
Jvirt ^^ * cipoo'a tail storn out of the i»«n, 
And yd in tlia atak ; and yet 't had b<*n dushonour 
Tohov* dmff«d without it^ — Wilt tliuu ui^verceaae ft 
la tW petard, aa I gave din*ctioQB, bacen'd 
On th* portrullii ? 

t SM, it bsib b««n atl«mpt»d 
fly dvtwn, hm in ^rtm, 

iMr* Thma aro your nllantt, 
Thm at a IbaaC take the &rat place, poor 
Umiiif wXkm'4 to follow ; marrr, in 



I 



i mk beta 4f niw(^r] ^ucriirwc. polnilnj 
inMp-aMar.'l Tklt ihorl ipcwtrofilic li mI- 



These fooliih buainessea they are content 
l^hfit I shall have precedence : I much thank 
Tlieir manners or tbpir fi?ar» HCT:otid roe, aaldiers ; 
They have hsul uo time to undeniiinet or if 
They have, it ia but blowing «|J, and fi^tching 
A caper or two in the air ; ana I will do ii, 
Eatlier ihjm blow my nailn here. 

t Scid, O bnive captain } [ Kitunti 

An otarum ; mtUe and c$ie» within. After ajfourith^ 
enter BaAuroRT senior, Beaupobt Junior, Mom- 
TAicNr, Chauont, LAN4>ini, IVkloakae, nM^i jSol* 
diera, ttrifA Mo>rntEVtu.£. 

Mnntr. BncV s caimot force Tnorw from me than I have 
Already told you : I expect no favour ; 
1 have cast up my accompt. 

Bmnf, un. Take you tna charge 
Of the fort, Belgarde , your dangers hare deserved it 

Bel^. I thank your excellence j tliis will ke«p ma 
anfe yet 
From beinu pull'd by the sleeve, and bid remember 
The thiripr 1 wot of. 

Bmuf.jun. All tljat have eyes to weep, 
Sparp one tear Willi me. l'heocrine*s dead. 

Montr. H«r father too lies breathleia b«fe, 1 think 
StruL-k dead frith thunder. 

Cham* Tis apparent : how 
His carcasi smells ! 

Lan, His face is alter'd ta 
Anotlier colour, 

Beaufjun But here's one retains 
Her native innocence, that never yet 
Caird down heaven*s anger. 

iimuf, wiu 'Tia in vain to mourn 
For what^H friijit help. We will ri-fer, had man. 
Your sentence to the king. JMay wtf njuke uh« of 
Tlii« great example, and learn from it, thai 
Tlif re cnnnol be a waul of fnowtr above, 
To puniah munler and unlawful love ! [Estunt** 

* Thb Pljiy open* mhb cootklrnUv Iiilrrr** lad vicuar; 
bat Hie pctueifuil sctIod i* qokkly cKtiioilcd by iu own 
bri«lii»ri«. Tht DiitiJitanil CutnlMt «nfU ratly In ihe K-n>iMl 
net, nnd teivri the nradcr al m Iom wtijt flinber lu ckpvel. 
T)>« rrm<iknin|: fi^ti, al leaal frti-in tht br^inning of the fuurih 
act miKlil b«f C4llctl the t'nnataral Attdi'lioirtit- Yet ihe lwt» 
eahjrclfr arc uol without connrxiun ; iriKJ thi» l> iittonled 
chic ft V by Ih^ |it(ijeclp<l in4rri«|e uf young Beitifun tad 
Thcucrioe, whicb Mdrfori urge* at the coni<ei)atiice of hia 
vklt'ry. 

The piece b ihrrrfofv to be conikJertil not »o roocb la Us 
|>tu4^ ai in ill I'hiiiHCiers ; aiul iIu-m^ mte drJiwn wiili p«ai 
force, and adunirible diicrimlnHtioD. Tbe pity tvXi at firfl 
for otd Makfurt, t* wm>it cbaiagpd Jiitu hi>iTW and delcita> 
lion \ while the dread liif pired by t]i« vim %% »«tiiufwhal rvlic^inl 
by line iini|>klu» tiui be avenjiei Ibc cad^c of a imirdrrrd 
mother. Their ffartey it a« terrible at their combat ; and 
tbey cncouuter wiib a fury of p^Mion and a deadliocM of 
hatred apprcNicblDg lo stvafc nature. — Claodian wjit slmoil 
deicritte tbem : — 

ToreiM i?prr, fulmt»ipie lea eeiere mperkU 
ririim*; kk §ela nevitfr, i/t* fuba. 
On Ihe other kaud^ Mootrevlllr aiifully ronccati bia enmity 
litl be ran be ** at the hrijEbt rvvtur^d." Deprived oC Tbc> 
ocrine by Malcrorl't treachery, he yet appean bU ** boaoca 
frU'iHt,'* wlf*-n lo toe bts sccoiyl in the comtyal, <in aceoaot of 
th< fr trirtl affection ** from hi* InfMnry," aivd teeint evm to 
rrcoriimi-nd the marriage of Tbrocrine wlih bit rival. To 
Theticrliic benelf, wbo ran lew eomprcbend hit de«i|tti», be 
ihewt Mime glJjnptet of tptecn rroni the becinDinc. He takes 
• mallfHAPt plcAiore In wiMtndkne brr delicacy wUh li(hl4Bd 
vkiifii* Inikini;; an*lwhiii at lrn|£lli ht' hii* {loinie^^ion uC ber 
|KT»uh, nrnt ii prepHrhiK the di*honaiir which endi ill ber 
dt>ath, h4^ t«lkt tu hrr i>r htt vllUliioui piii |H»%e wUh acooliieit 
which thcw# hini dL'teiuilurit uit hti levvnge, «{ul Mrrore of 
ib accuMipliAhmviit. 

Tbeocrioc herreU h admirabk lbroagbo«l the piece* Slit 



JL 



60 



THE UNNATURAL COMBAT. 



[Act V. 



hat a tnw virxia modcatr, and, pnkaps, OM or tkc bc« aariu 
of modeaty, a Irac virgio fraakncn. We adnire her fearlcaa 
parity of thoaght, her filial reverence, and her ueooKkma- 
BMs of the in^aity that approaches her; and we are filled 
with the most tender concern for the indlfnitiea to which 
■he ia expoaed, and tlw fate which the aaflen. 

Amonf the lighter charmctert, Montaigne, Chamont, and 
Lanonr are well drawn. They are Mmie of thoae iniign i ftcant 
people who endeavoar to mppoft thenuelTes In society hy a 
ready Mhjection to the wlA of olherk When M alefort it 
on his trial, they are glad to be hisaccoaen; and ilia allowed 



that the y '«jWM h 

eager Id prawm t 
be U In his UMody hi 
•* safest conrse^i" a ' 
ne^ected Bcigardei 
•pon him.— Dr. InsLAna. 



AAcr bla ▼tetoty, they are aaM 

I IHenda and ndmitvrs. Whea 

ody bauMMr, they sooth him. that being ihs 

;** and when Beaafort at leocih takes ap the 

rde, they are the trat to lavLh their OMoey 



• This eonsistcncy In their insipid 
itself detemine to whoas theae words 
had not given theaa to Chanioat.oa otiMr 



.If t 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



DuKs OF MiLAW.] Of this Tragedy there are two editions in quarto ; the first, which is rery correct 
' very rare, bears date 1623 ; the other, of little ralue, 1638. It does not appear in the O^ce-book 
^nser; from which we may be certain that it was among the author's earlieist performances. 
»lot, as tlie editor of the Ccmpanion to the Play Haute observes, is founded on Guicciardini, Lib. viii. 
wever, is a mistaken idea, as if Massinger was at all indebted to Guicciardini, it must be to his 
i xizth books. It should be added, however, that by this expression nothing more must be under- 
■n that a leading circumstance or two is taken from the historian. There was certainly a struggle, 
between the emperor and the king of France, in which the duke of Milan sided with the latter, who 
!«ted and taken prisoner at the &tal battle of Pavia. The rest, the poet has supplied, as suited his 
Charles was not in Italy when this victory was gained by his generals ; and tne final restoration 
[Uanese to Sfona took puce at a period long subsequent to that event. The duke is named Ludo- 
he list of dramatis personaB ; and it is observable that Massinger has entered with great accuracy 
vigorous and active character of that prince : he, however, had long been dead, and Francis Sforza, 
agent in this play, was little capable of the spirited part here allotted to him. The Italian writers 
k a weak and irresolute prince, the sport of tortune. and the victim of indecision, 
smaining part of the plot is from Josephus's History of the Jewt, lib. xv. ch. 4 ; an interesting story, 
ss been told in many languages, and more than once in our own. The last piece on the subject 
elieve, the Mariamne of Fenton, which, though infinitely inferior to the Duke <f Milan, was, as I 
rd, venr well received. 

teuton tiad read Massinger before he wrote his tragedy, is certein from internal evidence ; there are 
ever, many marks of similarity : on the whole the former is as cold, uninteresting, and improbable, 
tter is ardent, natural, and affecting. Massinger has but two deaths ; while, in Fenton, six out of 
eraonages perish, with nearly as much rapidity, and as little necessity as the heroes of Tom Thumb 
onhotonthologoi, 

•id, in the title-page, to have ** been often acted by his Majesty's Selrvants at the Black Friars." 
trough i^orance or disingenuity, Coxeter and M. Mason represent it as frequently performed in 
iring, as m every other instance, the time of publication for that of iu appearance on the stage. 



TO THL RIGHT IIONOURABLS, 
AND MUCH EBTBZMXO FOR HER HIGH BIRTH, BUT MORS ADMIRED FOR HER VIRTUE, 

THE LADY CATHEEINE STANHOPE, 

WIFE TO PHILIP LORD STANHOPE, 
BARON OF SHELFORD. 
Iadam, 

9 not most assured that works of this nature have found both patronage and protection amongst the 
princ e s ses * of It^, and are at this day cherished by persons most eminent in our kingdom. I 
lot presume to ofier these my weak and imperfect labours at the altar of your fkvour. Let the 
of others, more knowing, and more experienced in this kindness (if my boldness offend) plead my 
md the rather, since there is no other means left me ^my misfortunes having cast me on this course) 
ii to the world (if it hold the least good opinion ot me) that I am ever your ladyship's creature, 
fe, therefore, with the never-failing demency of your noble disposition, not to contemn the tender 
ity, who, while he is, will ever be 

An humble Servant to your 

Ladyship, and yours 

PHILIP MASSINGER. 

lonMs ] So th* qsarto 1(»3. That of ltf.18 eshlMtt frtucea, which CoxHer, and co«MeqaeiiU> M. M smmi, follo«r» 



6f 



rHE DUKE OF MILAN 



[Acrl. 



DRAMATIS PERSONiE. 



LuDovico Sporza, nippaud duke of Milan. 
Francisoo, hU especial favouritt, 

Graccho, a creature of Mariana. 

Julio, > _. 

Giovanni. \^^^»' 

Chahlcs ths emperor. 

Pescara, an imperialist, but a friend to Sforuu 

Hernando, \ 

Medina, >captaf/it to the emperor, 

Alpbonso, J 

SCENE, for the first and second acts, in Miijin 
Pavia ; the rest of tlM play. 



Tbre« GenUesien. 

An Officer. 

Two Doctors. Two Courien. 

Marcslia, the dutehess.wife to Siorzju 

Isabella, mother to Sforsa. 

Mariana, wife to Francisco, amd sirtsr to S\ 

Eugenia, tistor tw Frakcisoo. 

A Gentlewoman. 

A Guard, Serrants, Fiddlers, Attendance 



; during part of the third, in the Impbuai. Camp i 
in Milan, and its neighbourhood. 



ACT I. 



SCENE Ir— Milan. An outer Room in the Castle*, 

Enter GRACCUOy Julio, and Giovanni t> with 
FlaggoM. 

Grac, Take erenr man bis flsggfon : give the oath 
To all you meet ; I am this day the state-druukard, 
I'm sure against my will ; and if you find 
A man at ten that's sober, he's a traitor, 
And, in my name, arrest him. 

Jtd, Very good, sir : 
But, say he Im a sexton ? 

Grac. If the bells 
Ring out of tunet, as if the street were burning. 
And he cry, Tu rare music ; bid him sleep : 
'Tig a sign he has ta'en his liquor \ and if you meet 
An officer preaching of sobriety. 
Unless he read it in Geneva print $, 
Lay him by the heels. 



• Milan. An outer Room in the CaatU] Tbe old copies 
have no di«tiactioci of scenery ; indeed, tbry ciKild have none 
with their miserable platform and raised gullery, trat what 
was famished by a board with Milan or Rkodee painted npon 
iL 1 have ventured to sapply it, in conformity to the mocH'ni 
mode of printing Shakspeare, and to consult the ease of the 
general reader. I know not what pricked forvrard Coxeter, 
but he thought proper (for the first time) to be prerise in this 
Play, and specify the place of action. I can neither com- 
pliment him upon his Judgment, nor Mr. M. Mason npon his 
goodsrnse in following him: the description here is, ''A'ceiMr, 
a publie Palace in Pisa," Flsa I a place which is not once 
mentioned, nor even hinted at, in tbe whole play. 

f Julio, and GiorANNi,] These are nut fonud among the 
old dramatis personae, nor arc they of much Importance. In 
a sabseanent sceae, where they make their appearance a* laT 
and StMi Gentlemen, I have taken the liberty to name them 
again. Joo^, which stood in this scene, appears to bs a 
misprint for JuHo. 
fCrac ff the belie 

Ring oot of tanc, Ac.] L e. backward : the nsaal signal et 
alarm, on the breaking out of fires. So in f Ae Captain : 

" certainly, my body 

Is all a wiklflre. for my head rings tedkMoni." 
Again : in the City Match : 

•• Then, sir, In time 

Yon may be remember'd at the quenching of 
Ptrcd booses, when the bells Wf^ backward, by 
Your name npon the buckets." 
i Unleee ho mad it in Geneva primt,] Allading to the 
spirituooa Uqnor so called. M. Mason. 



JuL But think you 'tis a ftult 
To be foimd sober ? 

Gf«c. It is capital treason ; 
Or, if you mitigate it, let audi pay 
Forty crowns to the poor : but girec 
To all the magistrates yov find aingiiij 
Or their wives dancing ; for the oowrOfi* TOStinr. 
And tbe duke himarif, I dare not s^ diaOmipsi^ * 
But kind, and in his tottering ehsir oi 
They do the cotmtry service. If yum 
One that eau bread, a child of ignomieew 
And bred up in darkness of no driakiag^ 
Against his will you may initiate him 
In the true posture ; though he die in the tskiBg 
His drench, it skills notf: what's a priTftte man. 
For the public honour ? We'^e uoug^t elaa to think 
And so, dear friends, copartners in my trsTaila, [on. 
Drink hard ; and let the health run thzou^ tlis city. 
Until it reel again, and with me cry. 
Long lire the dutchess I 

Enter Txbekio and Stspbako. 

JuL Here are two kxds ;—> what thmk yoa t 
Shall we give the oath to them ? 

Grac. Fie! no: I- know them. 
Yon need not swear them ; your lord, by his r— tfit. 
Stands bound to take his rouset. Long Urm the 
dutchess ! [Exeunt GmcJuL mmd Gio 



• •/ dare not euif distcmper'd,) L^e Inuihauj : • 

the word Is fireqneutly used by ear old wrilen. Tkai f&kkfev 
" CW. m; kml, li*k gone, ^^ 

** Led. Howl 
'* Oemr. Distempered, 
" Lod. Not with wins V The GmtMl 
It ocenn also in Hamiet. 

t tkemgh kedie in the UMmg 

His <ireiic*. it sfciUs.aot: te.} It 
So ip rV Gamntrr : 

** iVk|iA. 1 desire no man's privilege: iCtMlbiaefwhctkcr 
I be kin to any m in living." 

J yoMT lord, bp hiepatent. 

Stands bound to take his rouse.] This word has never bren 

groperly explaine<l. It occurs in Hamlet, wheie It b saM by 
leevens, as well as Johnson, to mean a qnantiiy uT U'lnor 
ratlier too larite : the latter di* rives It fhrnn nMeA,liiIf drank. 
Germ, wlilie he brings corouMfkuus^araiMifnllontf ibn.m 



.11 



■| 






Staph, The cause of this ? but yesterdfty the court 
Wore the sad lirery of distrust aod fear ; 
No smilfl. not in a buflboa to b« aeen. 
Or common j«ster : the Great Duke himself 
Had sorrow ia hk fiu»-, which, waiteiJ on 
By bis mother, suter, and his fairest dutcUi>as, 
Dispersed usiWot moitrning: tbrouj^h fdl Milan -, 
As if aonie ^nm. blow had boea giTen the itate, 
Or were at least expected. 

Ti/f, Slephano, 
I know as you are noble, yoa are honest. 
And ntpabl« of secreti of more weight 
Than now I shall deliver. If that Sforui. 
The present duke» (though bis whole hfe bath been 
Bat one ooncinoed pilgrimnge through dsngier^i. 
Affrights, and horrors, which bis fortunfi piided 
By h»» strong jadjrment, still hath overconn*,) 
Ap(i««ir« DOW fthakeo, it deserves no wondir : 
All that hi* ynutli bath laboured for, tlie harvest 
Sown by his industry rmidy to be re^pM too, 
Be«ng now at stake j and all his hopes confirmed. 
Or lo«t for eri?r, 

Suph. I know no such haaard : 
Hie guards are strong and sure, hi«$ coffers full ; 
TUe people well aflected ; and so wisely 
His proT^ident care hath wrought, that though wv^r 

lag^a 
Id moat parts of our western world| there is 
Ko ecMoay near us. 

Tifr. £]huig«n, thai we see 
To threaten ruin, are with eoee presented ; 
Bat those strike deadly, that cotne tmexpected : 
The lightning is far off, yet, soon 84 seen. 
We maj behold the terrible effr-cta 
That it prodoceth. But TU help your knowledge, 



, bownrrr. Uitt vye tnd «i^j^, 9n> but the rrcrf. 
pFOCJMom 9t die nnM action, mnd miiH .\M 

ftoai the Mmc tuarc^. A route Wat i .«t 

a pioC* » Td;^o 9jyv? In whkli n licihii ik- 

ftaf of t nf the a^mpanv Imhh.. 1 a t'lroutt', 

M-MTTi ifi^y angry wlib ibw iiiiwninrof tlijp 

rmMt*" r, wilh aMud^ble led fur the honour 

oi Im jttriliutet fo an Enifli»hniii(i, w]m>, it iv«(ni 

•' bs Lit out wUb a pottlrwji" forliii ingenuity^ 

" I« t «iy» he. •*lh«y baa no cone*!! whereby 

|» draw on 0r'i(ikeQe<^w/'(6amabj waa qo grcai lifiioriait,) 
•• UmIt best wrts. I (Iriokc lo yoa, and 1 pkd|p you, till it 
IcVClb MMMc tli4ll4iwwit1et| drunkard Toatk) oiil the rarov^et 
«a unrralfoii or that worth nnA wonblneiac «» it ia pitiv the 
ttr>i fuaader '*mi not hMi^^tfl, that we Bd^bt Imve fniiMl o^it 
his oaine ia fhe anikat recoixl of Ua« hiJiginiin'<« rd^i'iir" 
BitftUh Bm tmd Cry, 1017, \>. jM. It I» w .hi, 

llkat iher* ctuild br no rocur m cnrmtae^ i . * 

*er« i»m(»fM r "The leader," Cf^n tin a«« K . ly^ 

*• •■*"[ ' i iriroea the bottom of tl*-' shjijw up. 

warrJ ol hji dcxUrritie, gWe» it a ph>li[}. 

' !■ pr*jNr<»» iji r«n<r , i>ij(h thi'w wotflt vrrrc nwd In st ln»cr 
•eaM: bal I briieve Ihal wival i* here ^dvnticcd, will M-rve 
to cmphiltt nunv paia«aE«a ur »t)r old drainaii«tj, In which 
diej occur lu thetr primal au4l ap{irijpriatc Bigiilllcatioa : 
" >W, I've la'er*. tine* tuvii^r, 
A Tsmar or ruwr iu<< much^ aiid bv the god* 
It wartT»« my blw>d/* A'i«|^ilr cf MaUo- 

This proves th«t JobuaoD and Stceveiia arc utrroag : a rautt 
ias ll^ a fixed and drtefmloatc aenie. In the Lxngtiage of 
Ifte pretcut djiy }t woald be, a hamiyet or twe too much 
A^ain : 
** Ihtke. Ccirne^ bring K>me wioc. Hcre'i to my tj»ier, 

fenflemen, 
A kfoftk, and nitnh to all r 
•• ArcAma, Pray /// i//ii//. «ir/ 
Tia a blfh k^trttk lu viftn*. Here, lonl Barrfor 
A maiden health I — 
* IhtJkf, Go i©» m* moTt' of ihU. 
'• 4rt;AaaL Take ih* ro«i«e freely, tlr. 
Twill warm yuor bluud, ajiit make yon nt ror jotUiy." 
Th9 L^yal XtOyect 




And make his cause of fenr rnniiliar to 5'ou* 
The wars w louj^ continued Iwtweeu 
The emperor Charles, and Francw the French kiitg^, 
Have intereas'df in either s cause, the modt 
Of the Italian princes • ; amon«r which. 8forM, 
A» one of greatest power, was soujflir by both ; 
But with EMiunince. hariog ooe his irieadf 
The other IiyikI hia vumj* 

Steph. Tis &ue : 
And ^twas a doubtful choice. 

Tib. But be, well knowing. 
And hatifif too, it seems, the Spunish pride. 
Lent bia assiataoce Ui the Kin^ af France : 
Which hath so for incensed the emjieror. 
That all bis hopes and honours ore embtuk'd 
With his fjfTFat |wrron*!i fortune. 

Suph, Which ttands fair, 
For aught I yet can hear. 

Tib. But should it change. 
The duke'a undone. Tliev have drawn to the field 
Two ro)Td armies, full of fiery youth ; 
Of equal spirit to dare, and power to do : 
Bo near intrencb'd t* that 'tis beyond all hope 
Of human counsel thaj can e'er be serered, 
ITntil it be determined by the awonl, 
Who hath the better csus>a: for the surcpss 
Coocliides the victor innocent, ami thw raa(|ui.<ih'd 
Moat miserubly fruilty. How uticertiiin 
The fortune of the war ia^ children know ; 
And, it WuifT in stij^pense, on who^ie fair tent 
Wing'd Victory will mnke her glorious aland. 
You cannot blame the duke, though he appear 
Perplexed and troubled. 

Ste}}h, But why, th^n. 
In such a time, when emry knra ihoold bflcid 
For the succeiis und safety of his ptsrESon, 
Are these loud triumphs f in my weak opinion^ 
TIjev are unseasonable. 

Tib* I judge BO too ; 
But only in the cause to be excused. 
It i§ the durchfss" birUiday, once ii year 
Solemnized with all fMjmp and ceremony ; 
In which the duke is not his own, hut hers : 
Nay, every day, indeed, be is her crealura. 
For never muii so doated ; — but to tell 
The tenlh part of hir* fondnesa to a BlraagATf 
Would argue me of fiction, 

Sieph. She's, indeed, 
A lady of most exquisite form, 

Tib. She knows it, 
And how to pri:&e it. 



* Nave interetaM rn tdther'i eautf the tnttwl 
Of the Italim pHnisn ; &<:,] Ho tbe ol.| cwplet. The 
TRixlcrn ledliuri, much i« Ibe advaniageuf ilw rb^'thia, read . 

" Nave iiitervtted fe eitktr'* CMt»r, the moaf, fltc," 
Probably they w«r« tgooratitof the eaiatence uf »uch aw«Hil 
at ii^r^Teaf, which occurJi, bowe^er, pretty freqaeiiily (n oar 
old wriijera. Jabnjoa coii»ic|«>rB it aa syuouyinoas will* inter- 
eaf,. but In lomt' of the exitrnplea wbkh be giWt and in 
many otbert which I ewild produce'. It •eeran lo roovry mi Idea 
of a more Itttimalr connexioo than U ujually uiwleritoixl by 
that term; somewhat, for iuMance, like irn^nlicate, imvolve, 
inwpave, Ac. an which case, H imist be dcrivwl from intrrccfo, 
ihrvnG;h the medtam of the French. (Ascmer^aiuplpfor di, 
I may refer tbe reailer to BciiJoD*un'tSejanii»,K Act lUic^U 
" 7Tft. By the Ctpitoll 
Aiwl aO our GorJt. but that the <leare Rcptiblfek 
Our Mcre^^l lawift, and JaMaothoritk 
Arc intereMted therein, I ibould be •UcdL"— En.) 
f So war iatnswh^d, &e.] The French army was attbit 
fim*? tngased ia the fits© of Pavla.umter the w«li» of whli^h 
the ikcUlvc baltk waa roufhtpOd ili« 1l4lbftr PebmMiy. 13^ , 



64 



TIfK DUKE OF MILAN, 



[Ant 



Suph, I nf'Vr lieurd her tntoted 
In any point of bouour. 

TiA Oq my lift*. 
Fbt-'s constant to bb bed.und well detmnroi 
His lari^est favoura. UnU ^hen beauty is 
Starnf/d on p^»t woTnpn, parent in birth mid fortutip, 
And blown by flsUliTpr^ ^rvatpr tb«ii it i», 
*Tis seldom unnccomponied with pride ; 
Nor i» abe that way free : preauming on 
Th« duke's affetstion. and ber own deitert. 
She bean herself with such a tniijpaty. 
Lotjkinij with *com on all nt thinps beneath her, 
Tlj»t Sforza's mother, that would loiie no jmrt 
Of what waa onee her own, nor liis* fair aisler 
A liidv too acquainted widi her worth. 
Will Wook it well ; and howsoe'er thmr h«t# 
U ftmnthMr'd for a time, 'lia more thao iear'd 
It will at leni^tb break out, 

SUfph. He in whose power it is, 
Tarn til to the best ! 

TiA» Come, let us to the court ; 
We there slinll ftee all bravery and cost, 
That art can boast of. 

Siepli, 111 be«r you company, [ EsfunU 



SCENE Ih^Amther P«m in the mme. 
Enter Fkancisco, IsAnrtXA, riaiit Mariana. 
Mmi. \ will not ^ ; I seom to be n spot 
In Jier proud train. 

/jutA. Shalll, !hut »m liis mofher, 
B« so indulgent, as to wait on her 
Th»l owes me duty T 

Fran. Tis done to the duke. 
And n ;t to her : and. my sweet wife, remember, 
And, madam, if you please, receive my counwl, 
As Sforza is your eon, you may command bim ; 
And, as a sister, you may challenj^e fiom him 
A brother's love ami favour: hut, thi^^frrtintid, 
Consider he's tJie prince, and you J*is HubjectSt 
And not to question or con lend with |jer 
W*hom he is pleaded to honotir. Private men 
Prefer tbeir wives ; and shall he. hein}< a prince, 
And blest with one that is the paradise 
Of sweetness, and of beauty, to whuwe charge 
Tb© stock of women's g^oodnesa is (j^iven up, 
Kot use ber lik«j herself? 

Jmb, \'ou are ever forward 
To sin^ her pmises» 

MttrL UiIk'ta lire aa foir \ 
I am aure, a^ noble. 

Fran* I detnict from none, 
lit giving her what's due. Were she deform 'd, 
Yet boine tbe dutcbesji, 1 stand bound to serve her ; 
Bat, tt she is, to ndmire ben Never wife 
Met w ith a purer heal her hnsband^s fen'otir j 
A happy pair, one in the otbeT blest ! 
8h« CQnfuk»ut in herself he's whollv ber's. 
And cannot seek for change , and he lecur© 
That 'tis not iii the jkiw er of man to tempt her* 
And therefore to contest with her. that is 
The stronger and tlie better part of him, 
la more thnn folly : vou know him of a nature 
Not to he play'd witfi \ and, shauld you forget 
To obey him as your prmce, he'Jt not remerober 
The duty that he owes you. 

1Mb. 1 w but truth : 
Cune, clear our brows, stid let U6 to Uie banquet ; 
Hyt not to serve his idol. 



Mtt'i. I shall do 
What may became the sister of a pnoce ; 
But will not stoop beueath it> 

Fran. Vet, be wise ; 
Sotir not too high to ^ ; but stoop to risi 



[EieuiL 



SCENE in^—A Stai0 F«em tn lh« saawu 
Kntrr ihrw Gentlemen, tettinii; fmih a hm^mL 

1 Gent. Quick, quick, for love's sake ( let the 
court put on 
Her choicest outJiide : c«sl ind br»veiy 
Be only thought of, 

« Genu All that may be hsrf 
To please the eye, tbe ear, tnste^ touch, or Hnull, 
Are carefulJy provided. 

3 Gfnt. Tbere*s a mask ; 
Have you heard what's tlie invention T 

1 Cent* No matter '. 
It IS intended for the dut chess' honour ; 
And if it g^ve her g^lorious atlributejt. 
As the most fair, most virtuous, and the rest, 
'Twill please the duke. They come, 

3 Getd, All »» in order. 

Enter TiBEaio. Stepuavo, Fravct4CO, Swaft. 
M>iiiC£i.iA, Isabella, Waria^a, and Attttt4*vi*, 
Sf«r, Vou ore the mistress of the fe«st — sit lie<% 
O my soul'fl comfort ! and when Sforxn bows 
Tlius luw to do you honour, let none think 
The mesineNt *ervtc^ ihev can pnv my love. 
But as a fair addition fo those titles 
They stand possest of. Let me glory in 
My happiness, and mighty kina:* look pale 
With envy, while 1 triumph in mine owa, 

mother, look on her \ sifter, adinin? her ! 
And, since this preeeot age yields not a woman 
W orthy to be her second, borrow of 

Times past, and let imagination help. 
Of rho»e caiKmised ladies) Spnrtn boiisrd of. 
And, in her greatness. Rome wo* proud to on*e. 
To faiihion one; yet still you must con 'ess, 

1 he phunijE of jierfection ne'er wia seta. 
But in my fair Marcelia. 

Fmii. .she's, indted, 
Tlie wondiT of all limes. 

Tih, Vour excellence, 
Though I confer*, you give her but her owiij 
Fnroes* her modesty to the ilefence 
Ofasweetblueh. 

Sfar. It need not, my Marceli* ; 
When most I strive to praise thee, I appear 
A poor detractor : for thou art, indeed. 
So absolute t in body and in mind. 
Thut, but to spwak the least part To the bc<iglit. 
Would ask an angcfs tongue, and yet tb**ii «ii4 
In silent »dmirniion ! 

/*uA, Vou »ttll court her. 
As if she were a mistress, not your wif^e. 

Sfafr, A mistress, mother ! She is more to mtp 
And every day deser?cs more to be tuvt\ to. 



* Fttrcei htr mr^ntii] So the c^ltiboo lOH^ v> Ui* b Cu%«iif 
doe« not appear M tuve ofien rdtiaoJttcL Ilr rrtdt, tn^r ifevt 
ni less, rt(foren, tboHel> it iti-itruy* ibc nitrlnr. Mr. M- 
MaMin, of ciMirM-, fuIKma hkm, 

t .V<7 ab^obre in hoflf and in mtind^] F^r tht» tpMu^ 
re^Kliae. which if ihaC iff thv t»nt tNllflMn, (W M^ctiiMl b««, JXg 
pertrct ltf>ili rn hodp and in mmd, sntl ili«i» ll «l«»ll» li 



P 



dtsNt IlL] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



6b 



Such as are eloy'd widi thoae tbej bare ambneed, 

May think their wooiiig done : no nifffat to mm 

But is a bridal one, wlme Hymen lights 

His torches fresh and new ; and thoae delights. 

Which are not to be clothed in airy sounds, 

Enjoy'd, beset desirea as full of heat 

And jorial ^Bnrour, as when first I tasted 

Her riririn fruit. — Blest night ! and be it nnmber*d 

Amonjrat those happy ones, in which a blessing 

Was, by the full consent of all the stars, 

Conlerr*d upon mankind. 

Mare, My worthieat lord ! 
The only object I bdiold with pleasure, — 
My pride, my glory, in a word, my all ! 
Bear witness, heaven, that I esteem myself 
In nothing worthy of the meanest praise 
Yoo can bestow,, unleaa it be in this, 
That in my heart I lore and honour you. 
And, but that it would smell of arrogance. 
To speak my strong desire and seal to serve you, 
1 then could say, these eyes yet never saw 
The rising sun, but that my vows and prayers 
Were sent to heaven for the prosperity 
And safety of my lord : nor nave I ever 
Had other study, hut how to i^pear 
Worthy jour favour ; and that my embracea 
Might yield a fruitful harvest of content 
For all your noble travail, in the purchase 
Of her that's still your servant ; by theae lips. 
Which, pardon me, that I presume to kiss 

S/er. O swear, for erer swear * ! 

Mare. I ne'er will seek 
Delight hut in your pleasure ; and desire. 
When you are sated with all earthly glories. 
And age and honours make you fit for heaven, 
Thmt onegrave may receive us. 

&f'er. nris believed, 
Be&ved, my blest one. 

Mori. How she winds hemlf 
Into his Moul ! 

Sfor. Sit an^^Let others feed 

00 shore gross eatea, while Sforta banquets with 
Immortal viands ta'en in at his eyes. 

1 could live ever thus. Command the eunuch 
To aing the ditty that I hst composed, 

Enltr a Courier. 

In praise of my Maroelia. From whenee ? 

Cew. From Pavia, my dread lord. 

St'or, Speak, is aU lost ? 

Cmtr, iDdwen a irtfsr.] The letter will inform 
you. [Exit, 

From. How his hand shakes, 
Aa he receives it ! 

Mmri, This is some allay 
To his hot passion. 

5/sr. Though it bring death. 111 read it • 

Majr it pUoM jfour txeeUmet to undentand, that the 
wry ktmr I wrote Ais, I heard a bold defiance delivered 
by m herald from the eameror, whidi wai cheerfully 
received by the Kimg ef France. The battailei being 
ready to join, and Ae fxmguard committed to my charge, 
emferea me to end abmptfy. 

Your highneu*t humble tervant^ 

Gaspcro. 



• SftM-. O fwear, Jhr eeer ewear/] TUi ii the lection of 
the tnt qaarto ; !ke tecood 
MMBT/aadU" 



ood poorly re««i», O tweet, for t 
by Coseler and M. Msmo. 



Ready to join f^hy this, then, I am notliiog. 
Or my estate secure. 

Mare. My lord. 

Sfor. To doubt. 
Is worse than to have lost ; and to despair, 
Is but to antedate those miseries 
That must fall on us ; all my hopes depending 
Upon this battle's fortune. In my soul, 
Methinks, there should be that imperious power, 
By supernatural, not usual means, 
T inform me what I am> The cause considered, 
Why should I fear ? The French are bold and Htrong, 
Their numbers full, and in their councils wise ; 
But then, the haughty Spaniard is all fire, 
Hot in bis executions ; fortunate 
In his attempts ; married to victory : — 
Ay, there it is that shakes me. 

Fran. Excellent lady 
This day was dedicatee to your honour ; 
One gale of your sweet breath will easily [none 

Disperse these clouds ; and, but your»elf, there's 
That dare speak to him. 

Mare. I w^ill run the haxard. 
My lord ! 

Sfor. Ha ! — pardon me, MsTcelia, I am troubled ; 
And stand uncertain, whether I am master 
Of aught that's worth the owning. 

Mare. I am yours, sir ; 
And I hsve heard you swear, I being safe. 
There was no loss could move you. I'his dsy, sir. 
Is by your eift made mine. Can you revoke 
A grrant made to Marcelia ? your Marcelia ? — 
For whose love, nay, whose honour, gentle sir» 
All deep designs, and state-afiairs deferr'd, 
Be, as you purposed, merry. 

Sfor, Out of my sight ! [Throws away the letter. 
And all thoughts that may strangle mirth forsake me. 
Fall what can fall, I dare the worst of fate : 
Thpugh the foundation of the earth should shrink. 
The glorious eye of heaven lose his splendour, 
Supported thus, I'll stand upon the ruins, 
And seek for new life here. Why are you sad ^ 
No other sports ! by heaven, he's not my friend, 
Ihat wears one furrow in his face. I was told 
There was a mask. 

Fran. They wait your highness' pleasure. 
And when you please to have it. 

Sfor. Bid them enter : 
Coroe, make me happy once a^in. I am rapt — 
Tis not to day, to morrow, or the next. 
But all my days, and years shall be employed 
To do thee honor. 

Marc, And my life to serve you. 

[A ham tounded. 

Sfor. Another post ! Go hang bun, hang him, I 
say: 
I will not interrupt my present pleasures. 
Although his message should import my head : 
Hang him, I say. 

Mare, Nay, good sir, I am pleased 
To grant a little intermission to you ; 
Who knows but he brings news we wish to hear. 
To heighten our delights. 

Sfor. As wise as fair ! 

Enter another Courier. 
From Gaspero? 

Cour. That was, my lord. 

Sfor. How ! dead ? 

Cour. [Deliveri a letter.] With the delivery of 
this, and prayers. 



66 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



[AcT^I 



Tti f^ard your excellency from certaio dangers, 

Me ct^aed to bv nmnn. [Ejtii. 

Sfar, All that my fcArs 
Gould fashion to me» or my e!i*>mi(*s wi*h, 
Is fnllen upon m^. Silence ihut hurtli muaic ; 
'Ti« DOW unsemooable : a tolling^ betl. 
As a and hcirbinger to tell me, ihat 
Thi<i pamper'd lump of fle^h must feaat the woiro^ir 
Is finer for me , — 1 am tick. 

M,irc, My lord ! 

Sjor, Sick to thedoatli^, ^Inrct^Ua* Reraove 
lliese aig*ii« of mirtli ; liiey wore oiuiuoud^ oud 

bat usher'd 
Sorrow aiid rula» 

Mnrc. Blesa ua, best von ! 

I Mb, My son. 

Marc. \Vhat sudden change is thia? 

Sfor. All leave the room ; 
ril bear alone tbe burden of my grief, 
And must admit no partner. 1 dm yet 
Vour prince, where'a your obedience? Slay, 

Marcelia ; 
I cannot bw so greedy of a sorrow, 
In wbicb jou must not sliure. 

JEarvfint TihfTWfStephantt, FntnctMco, Imbelta f Mariana , 
and Attentittnts^ 

Mure. And cheerfully 
I will auHtnin my part, Wby look you pele? 
Where is tbot wontwl constancy, and coum^. 
That diired tlie w orst of fortune ? where is Sfona, 
To nbom all dimjE^ers, that fngbt common men, 
Appear*d but ponie terrors t why do you eye me 
With such fix'd looks] love» counaef, duty, aervite^ 
May flow from me, not danger* 

*%f}\ 0, Murcelia • 
It is for thee I fear ; for thee. tJiy Sforxa 
Sbiikea like a coward ^ for myself, umuoved 
1 coulfl have beard my iroopis werw cut in pieces, 
JIv funeral alain, and^ be^ oti whom my Ijopes 
Of rule^ of atnie, of life, bad thfir deiM-ndente, 
The King of France, my g^refttedt friend, made pri- 
soner 
To so proud enemies f- 

Mfire. Tlien you have just cause 
To show you are a man. 

Sfitr. All this were nothing:, 
Thouijh 1 add to it, lliat I am assured. 
For [giving' aid to this uufortunute king, 
The emperor, iiicens'd, bya hi4 commund 
On hia Tictoriona army, rfesh'd with apnil, 
And bold of conquest, to march up aj^ninst me, 
And seise on my e.^tates ; MUppoae thiit done too, 
The city ta'en, the kennela running blooil, 
The ran!^ack*d temples falling on dieir Huints ; 
My mother, in my Higbt, toss'd on their pikes, 
At»d lister raviali'd ; and myself bound iu.it 
In chains, to grace their trium[«b ; or what else 



• SU:k to ihe dfnth,] Tbi? modern «*<lirori omU llie oitkclt^^ 
•0 Um tg Umt Injary of ihe meirc iliaii »i ilic lungoatfc of the 
puKtr ^hleh vra^, iuik'etl, ihtl of liic iimi'. 

t Th«rc i* N «lriktii^ »luiiUrViy U» Mr. GitcUriit ol>a«n,e« 
tn mc) bvtWficn this |»m4](c^ aud Uiv paitJug speech wf 
Hector nod AjidrtiinaHic ; 

AXX' u jijot T(H0wv Tofftjoi* fiiktt aXyoc oir«ro'<ii, 
OvT avrttc 'Exa^tf^', urt llfHitfivio nvtiK-ifg 
Ovrt rrt^iynjTwi', U mtv iruXttt; ri aai f(T3Xoc 
Rv Kovipfn rriffoitv vir* avfpaai Svafiivtmutt, 
0^9ov «ei, r. r. a* tl n, 450. 



An enMny** insolence could load roei with. 
I would oe 8for%a stilL But, wJien 1 thmk 
That my Marcelia. to whom all tlieae 
Are but as atoms to the greatest hdl. 
Must suffer in my etuse, and for me sulfer ! 
All Fiirthty torments, nay, ereu thfise thr damn'y^ 
Howl for in hell, are ^cil« strokes, com|iiu«d 
To what 1 feel, Marceha. 

Miliar. Good air, bare patience : 
I can as well partaVe your adrerae fnrtnn<e. 
As I tl'iUH long hare had an ample share 
Ju your prosperity. Tis not in the |iofr«r 
Of fate lo alter me : for whiJ© 1 am, 
In spite of it, I'm your*. 

Sjor, But should that will 
To bo BO, be furceil*, Marcelia ; and I Ure 
lo see those eyes I priie ahov^ niv .>wn 
Dart fiiTOurs, though compell'd. \.-t , 

Or those sweet lips, yielding ini ir. 

Be p'utly touched by any but rnvbtlf ^ 
liiink, ihiuk. Marcelia, what • curbed tiling 
1 were, beyond eicpreaaioQ ! 

jVfarc. Do not feed 
lliu^ie jealous thoughts ; the only blevUBn^ thai 
Heoven hath bestow'd on us, more ihiin ou beasts. 
It, tbtit *tis in our pleasure when to di^. 
iit»sides, where 1 now in another's ]>ower. 
There are so many ways to let out hfo, 
I would not live, for one short minate. bi»; 
J WHS born only yours, and I will di« ao, 

Sjhr, Angels reward the goodness of this i 
Enter F»ASCiaco. 
All I ctui pay is nothing. — Why, uncall'd for* 

I'nnu Jt U of weight, sir, that makes me iLuk 
pr*3S 

Upon your privacirs. Vour constnnt friend, 
1 ht« nnir(]uis of Pttscani. tirtxl with haste, 
Haith husiiae>:3s that concerns your life and fortujM^ 
And with sjwed, to imjmrL A 

S/lir. Wait on him hitlier : [ Kxit Frunett:* ' 

An(]l, dearest, to thy closet. Let thy prmy«rs 
Assist my councils. 

Marc, To spare imprecations !i 

Aguirast myself, without you 1 am nothing*, f Ull* 

Sjor. The m art |u is of Pescarn ! a grvat soldiairt \ 
And, though he berv'd upon the adverse partr, 
Ever my consUint friend. 

Enter FaANCiMso and Pescara, 

Fran. Ynnder he wulks, 
Full of sad thoughts, 

Fete* Blaine him not, good Francisco, 
He hath much cmisa to grieve ; would I Oiiglit 

end so, 
And nut add this, — to fear. 

Sjor, !\ly dear Pescura ; 
A mir^ole in these times [ a friend, and Happy, 
Cknves to a falling foituue * 

• But ghptild that ufiil 

To be *f>. Ucf^JTCi'd ] 1 liJivu vpiiiitr*^ to jntrrt k», whirli 
wii» prub.fhlv tlrupt at the prtw. hefmrir Jbnv^l. (In 'hf R^IIL 
of 18 J 3, Mr Gilffrtl bdhK ^Utridiht xtt thr .- - .m 

«mtndAtiun, bai ttipptK-d tlm d\.*vv o( ihc uf 

»pj|C4.<ji, thtti ' > -. I have iKiwrvrr rudtin n^'l 

corrvcditit, whkh t tlifiik iiipifrkMr lo llw •m1.^, .j^ijr tn ,u«rj 
alihuafh uiii>ecci»!hiiry tu the rhyituii and p«rti4p« rcDd«ria|lfe» 
vi-rw rufbtT liiarfli,— Eil) 

dnk« dor* not etui^K^ctJit*' the tncnu of roic^r^ ; be •»«*, 1»^ 
dttHt. • grtat »,iI4it^* ^i ruriuhntv cnnimandt'r, an nhiv tn^f^ 
^Ulor, Iq « word, onr nf Uir ^^iloft arD«in«j]i* of a pw4im4 
wliicb sboiiiidrd In e&traurdluflry ch«ncirnk 



mam 




in.] 



THE DUKE OF MIIAN. 



67 



% I/it 

n in my weak power, in ftct, to ruse it, 
to bear ■ put of sonrow with yoa, 
imi ■boak] have juit < 



to My, pMcim 

rirt4]«s, 



It opoB yoor iialB, but on your 
he made sait lo be writ in the liat 
>se you fiiTOQr'd^ But my hule forbida 

mplimeat ; thuB, then sir, to th« purpoae : 
kuse Uitil, unfttteodM), brought me htUaiir, 
ot to leil you of voor loss, or dsng«r; 
RM bith many wings to bring ill tidings, 
pfffluine ]pou>« heard it ) but to givf« 3'ou 
rhmdij couJ&a^ as, perhaps, nisy make 
Hid disaster less, 
. Your are alt goodiiaaa : 
give u|» myself to be disponed of, 
jrowr wisdom you think fic 
. Thus, then, air: 

m you can hold out against the emperor, 
flatftvy in yoiirielf*, to your undoing : 
brv, the aaroat course that you can take, 
pTB up yo42rwlf to his discretion, 
you be oomp«U*d ; for, rei t assured, 
intary yieldtiig may find gmt^t 
rill admit defiaice, at Icfttt excuse : 
boo Id "you linger doubtfiil, till his powers 
Mixed your person and estates perforce, 
ittst expect extremes. 
. I unaerBtand you ; 
will put your eoonael into act, 
peedijy. 'l only will take order 
me domestical ailairs, tliat do 
m me nearly, and wttli the next sun 
rith you : in the mean time, my best friend, 
aka your rest, 

:. Indeed, I hare trareird bard ; 
tU embrace your counsel* [ £iif. 

. With alt care, 

I my noble friend,, ^tav voti. Francittco* 
m bow things stand wltli me ? 

», To my ffnef : 

the loss o?my poor life could be 
ifioa to restore them as they were, 
IgYy would lay it down. 
» 1 think so; 
ntii tfer found you true and thanklul, 

me love the building I bare raised 
r advancemant ; and repent no grace 
iMiaferr'd upon you. And, believe me, 

II now I should repeat nij' favours to you, 
dia 1 have giren vou, snil the means 

• to your honours ; that I thought you 
f my nater and my family, 
my dukedom made yon next myself} 
>t to upbraid you ; but to tell you 
rou are worthy of them, in your Ioto 
Trice 10 me. 

t* 8ir, I am your creature ; 
by abape, tbat you would have me wear, 
f win put 00. 

Tbua, than, Francisco : 
MB to deliirer to your trust 
fbtjT secret ; of so s&ango a nuture, 
riJI, I know« appear so mons^troua to you, 
m will tremble m the execution, 
dl M I am tonwred to oommsnd it : 



pa^llsttery la Miirsi{r*] S». bntU the qntrloi ; titc 
'~lon nMHl, ffVrv llAUarios yourvif. 



For 'tis a dead ao borrid, that, but to bcw it. 
Would strike into a ruffian 0eab*d in mordara, 
Or an obdurate hangman, nofi compasaioo ; 
And yet, Francisco, of all men tl»e deorest. 
And from me most deserving, soch my state 
And strange condition ia, that thou alone 
Mnat know tbe fatal service, and perform tt, 

Fra». Tbeae preparaCiona, air, to work a stranger, 
Or to one unacquainted with your bounties, 
flight appear uacfnl *, but to me they are 
Needleaa tmpertinenciea ; for I dare do 
Whatever you dare command* 

S/ar, But you must awear it ; 
And put into tbe oath all joys or tormenti 
Tbat fright the wicked, or confirm tlie good ; 
Not to conceal it only, that is nothing. 
But, whensoeVr my will shall speak. Strike now \ 
To fall upon*t like thunder. 

Fran, Minii«ter 
The oatb in any way or form you pleasei 
I stand resolved to tiik^ it, 

Sjhr. Tbmj ruuHt do, tlmn, 
What no malcYolunt star will dare to look on, 
It is so wicked : for which men will curse thee 
For being the instrument ; and the blest ang«ls 
Forsake me at my need, for being the author : 
For 'tis a deed of nij^ht, of night, Francisco! 
In which the memon* of all good actions 
We can pretend lo, t^ll be buried quick : 
Or, if we be remember *d, it shall be 
To fright posterity bv our example, 
That have outgone ah precedents of villains 
That were before un ; and luch as incceed, 
Though taught in hAl'ti blMck school, shulll neVr 
Art tliou not shaken yet ! [comG near us» 

Frnn. 1 grant you more me : 
But to a man confirra'd 

Sjhr. Ill try your temper ; 
What tliink you of my wife 1 

Fran, Aa a tiling sacred ; 
To whose fair name md OMOiory I pay gladly 
These tigris of duty. 

Sfor, is she not the abstract 
Of all that's rare, or to be wiah*d in woman ? 

Fran. It were a kind of blasphemy (o dispute it: 
But to the nuipose, «ir. 

SJhr* Add too, h**r goodness, 
Her tenderness of me, her care to pleane me, 
HtT iuiaus{>ected chaslitv* ne'er equall'd ; 
Her innocence, her honour : — O, 1 am lost 
In t}]e ocean of her virtues and her graces, 
When I think of tbem ! 

Fraiu Now I find the end 
Of all your conjurations ; there's some service 
To be done for this sweet lady. If she have ( 
That she would have removed 

Sfar, Alas ! Francisco, 
Her greatest enemy is her greatest lover \ 
Yet, in that hatred, her idobter. 
One smile of her*s would make a savage 1 
One accent of tliat tongue would calm the seas, 
Though all the winds at once strove tbere for 

enmire. 
Yet I, for whom she tliinks all this too little, 
Should I miscarry in this present journey, 
From whence it is atl number to a cipher, 
I ne'er return with honour, by thy band 
Must have her murder \i. 

Fran. Murder'd ! — She that lovea ao, 
And so deserres to be beloved again ! 

9 2 



Aad I, nrbo sotnetime* you were pletded lo firour,, 
Pick'd out the intrtmient! 

Sj'ftr, Do not fly off: 
WUnt ia decreed can lu^Ter be r^cnird ; 
*Tu more than lore to het, that marks her oat 
A wijh*d c«inp«nion to me in both fortunes : 
And jitron^ assurance of thy zealous faitb^ 
That gives up to thy trust a ■«cret, that 
Rae Its should out faa?e forced from ine. O^ Franckco ! 
Tliere is no heaven without her ; nor a hell, 
Wb«rQ she resides. I f^k from her but justici*. 
And what I would have paid to h^r, had Aickoe^s, 
Or say other accident, divorced 
fler purer soul from her unspotted body ** 
The tloviah Indian princet, when they die, 
Ara cbet^rfuHy attended tu the fire, 
By the wife and shiTe that, liv-ingr. they loved best* 
To do them service* in another world : 
Nor will I be lej« honour'd, that lore moits 
And therefore trifle not, but in thy looks 



ExpT^ess a ready purjjose to perform 
What I conumuid; or, by Marcelia'i aovl, 
ThiM is thv latest minute. 

Fran* 'lis not fear 
Ofdenth, but love to you, makes me embraee it : 
fhit for mine own seciuritv, when *tis doOfe, 
^Vhiit warrant havo 1 ? If^you please to %i^ ooev 
I alftill, tboufjrh with unwillingness atid borror, 
t*erronn your dreadful charge. 

SJhr, I will, Fraiicittco: 
Bu' still remember, that a prince's secrets 
Atb balm, coiicealM ; but poijkon, if diacttvflt*d* 
I mav come back ; then thi» is but m trial 
Jo purchase tiii^e, if it were possible, 
A nearer place in my affectioii : — bat 
I know thee bonest. 

Fran. 'Tis a chnraoter 
I will not part with. 

Sjiw, 1 may Live to reward it*. [fspmit. 



ACT 11, 



SCENE 1.-7^ mm*. An ^ii Spaai hefwt th* 
CaiUt, 

Enter Ttaanio and SrcpnANa* 

St€ph> How, lefV the court ! 

Tth. Without ^iiard or retinue 
Fitting a prinre. 

Stei)h. No enemy near, to force him 
To leave his own strengths, yet deliver up 
Himiielf, as 'twere, in hoods, to the discretion 
Of him that hates him ! 'tis beyond example. 
You never beard the motives that induued him 
To this strati ji^e course ? 

Tth» No, those are cabinet councils, 
And not to be communicated, but 
To sufih as are hia own, and sure. Alas { 
We till u\y ompty places, and in public 
Are taught to g^ive our suffraij-es to that 
Wbifb was before determined ; and are safe so. 
Signior Francisco (upon whom alone 
His absolute power is w\\h all stren^h conf**rr'd, 
During his absence) C4in with eue resolve you : 
To me th«fy are riddles. 

Sitffh, Well, he shall not be 
My (£dipus ; IHl rather dwell in darknesa. 
But, my good lord Tiberio, tliis Francisco 
Is, on the sudden, strmigely raised. 

Tih, O sir 
He took the toriving coursi* : hp had a sisterf, 
A fair one too, witli whom, as it is rumoured, 
'llie duke was too familiar ; but abe, cast off 
(What promises »oev«r past b«tweaii tbem) 



In p«rfrct curtcttrrtDci' 'wtib iht* prM'iice of MitKilncrr'a am^ 
remntf^irliM, ror purr, ttte t:uiii|v4rAlive for tli* |;M4ii)v«. Sec 
Ibr Vaivaiurjil CuiTihi*!. 

f " — //*• hitd a •<^«fi*r, &c.] Tlti'fc i« gri'il irl in thil 

inirvdm t Ion of K\\r r^lili-r- Id (hv jtianni^t-itii'iil vt ihi>«e prc*- 

Krmory l()iil«, MA»ing4'r Btirpftaje* ni\ his coutcni|»orrfrici« 
, flcanmonl ftfitli FMchfr, " itie einl Si)!!!' hfom f^ifgrf-* ihc 
liegiDiiliix .** anil evin 8htikftp«af« ii (ihI rhik«l> rrn- fmtn 
inaiteialMm <>f « ilmilAr a^tiin^ 1 y^iW oni firrv ||ir*i» rlw 
^OvmI Micliy oC tmi nnlhor'* |iIh»; btii H|i«tfirci ihry 
wriT. hi- tcpmi to biivt i}itmi(c'l> ^rrMugc^l »ll the cumpttiiriit 
(inrii before « line of lti« ilU(i>t**^ w Mniiien. 



Upon tbe sight of tbisf. forsook tbe court. 
And since was never seen. To smother tbla. 
As honours never fait to purchase silence, 
Francisco first was graced, and, step by step, 
Is raised up to this heigh L 

Stqih. But how is 
Hi« absence bom \ 

TiK Hadly, it seems, by the dutcbe«»; 
For since he left the court. 

For tbe most part she hath kept ber private cliambeTf 
No visitants admitted, in tlie church, 
Bbe bath been seen to pay her pure dc'votioos 
Season 'd with tears ; and sure her sorrow *s true. 
Or deeply counterfeited \ f^mp^ and atiife. 
And bravery cast of : and she, that lately 
Hivaird Poppica in lier varie<i jibapes, 
Or the Egyptian queen, now, widow.Iik«, 
In sable colours, as her husband's dnrig^rs 
StmngliHl in her the use of any pleasure, 
Mouni!^ for hift abjH*nce. 

Sttph, h becomes her virtue, 
And does coniinn what was reported of her. 

TiL Vou take it right : but, un the other aide. 
The darling of hi^ mnthcir, Manana, 
As there were an antiiuitliy between 
Her and tlie duichess passions ;; and as 
She'd no dependence on her brothers fortune^ 
She neW a^pear'd so full of mirth. 

Sttph, ^Tis strange. 

Entir GitAcciJu tcith Fiddlers. 

But see ! her favourite, and acootnpuiied. 
To youf reporL 

Urae, Vou shall scrape, nnd I will uag 
A scurvy ditty to a acurvy tune, 
Rt«pine who tiareo. 



• The «bs«<TV9)r{ori« In Iti* E*»«y pi^"***^ lo ihis Volncnr, 
prediiHt lh^> ncfMit^ *it *u\ n iniirWk nrmn mr, on rhb «4 
inimhlt^ tct'iir : it U »rfiiii, Kuwcv* r, tu have »ii|,r«i«#c«1 rbc 
rrillc »altetitiun,(tc» ihc nttnUtM nL'fElcirl at ihr «•»«,> kl tm 
*»'iUl£' *'. in Juslict^ to Ihv ••ith«r, thjil U \i r>4UAUed, 1^ rw4 
«tir|iji»»c<l, h) bitiMr *>r Itir ^uci'iMNlint ***i«, unci, niiiunt il« 
rfil. by iliAt whirh rottcliulL't th* •rcuod •«. 

f i pon fh» tight nf ttiU, Acc.J Utf.vtiht pn^nt «l»(rhr m. 



ScEifi L] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN, 



bV 



1 Fid. But, if we should ofTend, 
The dutch«ss hav-uij^ sUeuoed us^-HUid theaa lords 
Stand by to bear ut. 

Grst. They b name are lorda, 
But I am one in power : and, for the dutcheoa, 
Bui yesterday we were merry for her pl©aflur». 
We DOW '11 be far my lady'a. 
Tih, Signior Gmccho, 

Gntc A poor man, «r, a ierrwit to the princeaa j 
Bat you. great lords* and couuaelloi* of atnte, 
Whom I ctand bound fo reTerence. 

Tib, Come ; we know 
You are a man in grace. 

Ctwc. Fie • no : I prant. 
I hmt my fortuoea patiently ; aerve the princeaa, 
And bare acceaa at all timea lo ber closet* 
Such ts my impudence ! when your grave lordshipi 
Are mastera ol tbe modeaty to attend 
Three boura, nay aometimea foor^ tad ihea bid 
Upon her the next momiof . [wait 

5l«pA, He derides us. 

Ti*. Prav you. what tiewa is atirriDg ? yoo know 
€iTtMt, W'bo» I ? alas ! I've no intt'lligence [all. 
At home nor abroad ; I onlr sometimeti ^esa 
The cbftn^ of tbe times ; f abould ask of your tord- 

abips 
Who are to keep tbeir honours, wbo to lose them : 
Who tbe dotcbees smiled on last^ or on wb^om frown 'd. 
You only can resolve me ; we poor waiters 
Deal, aa yon aee< in mirth, and footiab fiddles : 
It is our element 1 and — could you tell mn 
What point of state 'tis tb«t I am coram nnded 
To muster up this mu^c, on mine hone»tyj 
Ya« afa«mld much bpfHpiid me< 
5lepA. Sirrab. you ^row ?mucy. 
Tib. And would be kid by the beela. 
Grac, Not hv your lordships^ 
Without a special warmnt ; looli to your own stakes ; 
Were I committed » here come those would bail me ; 
Perbapa^ we might change places too. 

£nt«r laAHELLA, and Maiuaka. 

T?h, Tbe princeaa t 
We mast be patient. 

Sttpk, There i» no contendinf^. 

716. See, the informing rogue ! 

StipA, That we should stoop 
To such a moabroom ! 

Mmri, Thou dost mistake ; they ilurst not 
Uae the least word of acorn, althoufrh | provoked, 
To any thing of mine. Go, gt?t you home, 
And to your aenrants^ friends, and fluttcrers number 
How many descentu you're nohle ; — look lo your 

wive* too ; 
The smootb-cbinn'd courtiers are abrotd. 

Tib, No way to be a fr««man ! 

Eieuttt Tilterifl and Ssephano, 

Gt&c. Your excellence bnt h the beiit gi^ to dispatch 
These arraj pictures of nobiUtyi 
I ever reed of. 

MaH. I can speak lometimeiS. 

Grae. And cover so your hitter pills, with sweet* 
or princely laniraage to forbid reply, [uess, 

They are greedily swallowed. 

Imh, Rut lo fb© purpose, daughter, 
Thai bnngs us hither, is it to bestow 



If •MM ekcKtsM lo dcvijitv Trom fhein^ sntl fend B%$ jftm are 
jpnMf iMTMtr, iKc. N«V4rr mm* Alivmioo more aanecetMry. 



A visit on thii woman, that, bfcauae 
She only would be thought truly to grieve 
1 he abnenoe and tbe dangers oi my aoa^ 
ProctainiH a getieral sadiMas? 

AJtiri. If to vex her 
IVIsiy be interpreted to do her honour, 
i^lie shall have nwny of tbem. I'll make use 
Of ray abort reign : my lord now governs all ; 
And she ubiill kriow that her idolitter. 
My brother, l>eing not by now to protect her, 
I am her eooal. 

Grot, Ota little thing, 
It ia so full of gall* ! A devil of this siw, 
^boutd they run for a wager to be spitefuh 
Gets not a horse-head of her. \_Asid«, 

Mart. On her birtliday, 
^V *' were forced to he merry, *nd now ahe'a musty, 
\\ e must be sad, on pain ot* her displeasure : 
We will, we will \ tbia ia her private chamber, 
Vir here, like an hypotrile, not a true turtle, 
She seeixiM to mourn her ubiient mate ; bi*r servonca 
At ten di tig her like mutf s : but 111 speak to her, 
And in ti high key too. Play any flung 
That'i* light and loud enough but to torment her, 
And we will have r»t9 sfiort. [Mudc and a jff^gf. 

Maaceua apimtn at a Window above, in btatJt. 

tub* She frowns na if 
Her looks could fright us, 

Mttri, M^y it plea^^e your greAtneas. 
We hi^ard that your lute phyiiic huth not workM ; 
Atid timt breeds melaticholy, as your dcn^tor tells ua 
To purge which, we, that are bom yuur highneaa' 

▼BsaaU, 
And are to play the fool to do you service. 
Present you with a fit of mirth. What think you 
Of a new antic I 

laab, 'Twould show nu*e iu ladtea. 

Mart. Being intended for so sweet a creature. 
Were she but pleased to grace it. 

Jmb, Fie ! ahe will. 
Be it ne'er ao mean ; she*a made of courtesy. 

Jl/ari. The mjMtresa of aU hearts. Utie amile, 1 
pray you. 
On your poor servants, or a fiddler^s fee ; 
Coming from those fair hands, though but a ducat, 
Wi^ will jubhrine it as a holy rtdic. 

Isiih. 'Tiii wormwood, and it works* 

Mare. If I lay by 
Mv fearn and griefs, in which you should be stmrers, 
U" dating age could let you but re]aQeml>er, 
Vou have u son ; or frontless impudence. 
Voti are a sister ; and in nuking answer^ 



* iQfKr. Of a hule Ihlne, 

It hwfuit a/fffsUl} Nothing mnre ttrnngly marfctt ihe 
poierly «iif the atJiije in tho»e tliuei, than Ibe rneqarnl allQsiciiDk 
I** liud lu fhc di&e tif tbr «tt»"r», i^tUcti mny tw ctnuWereiJ 
u » kind of qpitli?;^' Iu ibr ■udi«iice. It i> not pofsiblr to 
a«c«:ii4iu >vho pkytn} ilic part of Mariann, bnl g.t wai, tjot 
improbably, Tbvuphiliit BcMtmc, «hi» acted Paiilioa in^ the 
Rem^adu, wliere »n rKpre^iion uf ihe M,ine nature iM-furs. 
DumitiM«, lo tht Ramaa.i4ci€Mr,u m\po little ; tlir wa» played 
by John HtinQicifimn. I do not condemn thrM: iniJircct apo- 
iOfciea; indrvd, Ibtrf ap{iCMra>to be t^'inttldug of i>ixid Aen*« 
In them, um! of proper deiirrtncf tu ibe umli-r»tjin/tlini:» of ll>e 
aeilieace. At pr«»«iii, wc rvu imrrpiilljr Into evirry «p4i^i*»t 
vf utiinnlity, inen iDd womnn unwi^ldi} at oncv li-om ngf 
and fitinicca, take npt^n thi-mthL' pairit of aclivf buy t .lod girU; 
«Ad it ia noi only in a paniominie ibat ««: arc accuiitxined 
to fev cbildrcD of rim feet Jtiigb to leading strings [ 

^ A tomf] Thlv, like many ui lie r», due* not «|)pear ; tt was 
probably lupplled at pleaiurv, by tbe setoff 



L 



68 



THE DIKE OF MILAN. 



(Act IT. 



And I. who KMBedmcB joa wen phand to frroor, 
Pick'd oot the mtnuBMit! 

Sfar. Do not fly off : 
Whit is decreed cen nerer be recall'd ; 
'Tis more than lore to her, that wamtk* her out 
A wi&h'd compenioo to me in both fortnnee : 
And stronfT assnimnce of thy scaloo* finth. 
That ^res up to thy trust a secret, that 
Racks should not hare forced from me. O, Francisco ! 
There is no bearen without her ; nor a bell. 
Where she restides. I ask from her but justice. 
And what 1 would have paid to her, had sickness. 
Or any other accident, dirorced 
Her purer aoni from her unspotted body *. 
I'he slarisb Indian princes, when they die. 
Are cheerfully attended to the fire. 
By the wife and slare that, liring, they lored best. 
To do them serrice in another world : 
Nor will I be less honoured, that lore more. 
And therefore triito not, but in thy looks 



r purpose to perform 

nd ; or, by MarDelia's wonl» 



Express a readr i 

What Id 

This is thr latest minnte. 

Fran. *tisnot fiear 
Of death, bat lore to yon, makes me < 
But for mine own securitr, when *tiB dooe. 
What warrant hare I ? If you pleese to sig^ one, 
I shall, though with onwillingneM and iKMTor, 
t*erform your dreadful cbaiige. 

Sfar. f will, Francisco: 
But still remember, that a prince's ■ e er eti 
Are balm, coneeal*d ; but pouon, if discoirer'd. 
I may come beck ; then this is but a trial 
1 o purchase thee, if it woto possible, 
A nearer place in my affectioa : — but 
I know thee hooesL 

Fran. Tis a charaeter 
I will not part with. 

Sj'ar. I may lire to reward it*. [Eaaat 



ACT II. 



SCENE L^The tame. An open Spaet brfort tkt 
Castle, 

Enter Tibbrio and Stepbano. 

Steph, How, left the court ! 

Tib. Witliout g:uard or retinue 
Fittinf? a prince. 

Staph. No enemy near, to force him 
To leare his own strengths, yet delirer up 
Himself, as 'twere, in lx>nd8, to the discretion 
Of him that hates him ! 'tis beyond example. 
You never heard the motires that induced him 
To this strange course ? 

Tib. No, those are cabinet councils. 
And not to be communicated, but 
To such as are his own, and sure. Alas ! 
We fill up emptj places, and in public 
Are Uught to eire our suffram to tliat 
Which was before determined ; and are safe so. 
Sipior Francisco (upon whom alone 
His absolute power is with all strength conferred, 
During his absence) can with ease resolre you : 
To me they are riddles. 

Steph, Well, he shall not be 
My (Edipus ; HI rather dwell in darkness. 
But, my good lord Tiberio. UiU Francisco 
Is, on the sudden, strangely raised. 

Tib, O sir 
He took the tnriring course : he had a sistert 
A fair one too. with whom, as it is rumour'd 
1^ duke was too fiuniUar ; but she. cast off' 
( W hat promises soerer past between them) 

laatteatloat «r a Umllar ••laVT 1 w??j;*L'*'>' ^^ <>«« 
««««»he Mnnslo have mlaairlv irV!!' t«« . ^»»«teYer tWy 



Upon the sight of thisf, fonook the ooiiit» 
And aince was nerer seen. To amother thSa, 
As honours nerer fiul to purehaae aileno, 
Francisco first was mcea, and, step bj stop. 
Is raised up to this lieight. 

Steph. But how is 
His absence bom 1 

7i6. Sadly, it seems, by the dutcbeaa ; 
For since he left the court, 

For the most part she hath kept her priralia ehaiaber. 
No risitants admitted. In the chareh. 
She hath been seen to pay her pure derotioDS 
Season'd with tean ; and sure her aorrow'a tme. 
Or deeply counterfeited ; pcmip, aod atate. 
And brarery cast of : and she, that lately 
Rivaird Poppiea in her raried shapea. 
Or the Egyptian queen, now, widow-like. 
In sable coloura, as her husband's dangers 
Strangled in her the use of any pleaaine. 
Mourns for his absence. 

Stepk. It becomes her rirtue. 
And does confirm what was reported of her. 

Tib. You take it right : but, on the other aide^ 
The darling of his mother, Mariana, 
As there were an antipathy between 
Her and the dutchess paasions ; and aa 
She'd no dependence on her brother'a fortane. 
She ne'er appear 'd so fiill of mirth. 

Staph, Tis strange. 

Enter Graocho with Fiddlera. 

But see ! her iarourite, and acoompaDied, 
To your report. 

Grae. You shall scrape, and I will ainr 
A scurry ditty to a scurry tuoe. 
Repine who darea. 

• The obiervslloM Id the Emy pieflxed to this Votome, 
preclmie the ncccMiiy «.f any remsrkii fhmi me, on thto srt- 
iiilreUe vcene : as It veemt, huwever, to have easnwrcd the 
critic s ittentUm,(u> the nuinlreM neglect oT the reit.) let ne 
•«•!«««. in jiwtice to the author, that it U euaalled. if iioc 
raritavMd, by tonie of the tocceedlnc oaea, aiid. amonc the 
reM, by that which conclaclet the KcuaA act. 
U. LSUm^ •^^ ^ thU, AcJ i. e. or the pieteat datchm. 



70 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



[AcTli»l 



To what w«8 moftt unfit for you to spcak^ 
Or me to h«ir» borrow of my ju«t iingw— - 

Imh, A act tnewh, on my life. 

Man. Peuu a by bet cbnplain. [ap*iilc, 

Marc, Yea J it* chii speak, witbout mttructiun 
And tell your want of manners, that you lire nide» 
And Bnuoily nide» too. 

Grac, Now tbe game begins. 

Afore. You durst not, ©lae, on iiny hire or hope, 
Remembering what I am, and whose I am. 
Put on the desperate boldness, to disturb 
The least of my retirvmentA, 

MarL Note her, now. [presume 

Mtirc, For both ihall understand, 1 bough the one 
Upon the privilege due to a mother. 
The duke stands now on hia own lege, and needs 
No nufise to lead him. 

iMtb. How, a tiWAe ? 

Marc* A dry one. 
And uielesitoo : — but I lim merciful, 
And dotage signs your p^irdou. 

Itub. I defy tliee ; 
Thee, and thy pardons, proud one. 

Marc, For you , pupp^'t 

Miiri. What of me» pine-treef ! 

Marc. Littl** you are, I gmnt. 
And hare as litiJe worth, but much lona wit ; 
You durst not else, the duk» b«m|^ whcjllv mine, 
His power and honour mine, aud t}K< iillegriuice, 
Yovi owe him, as a subject, due to me— 

MarL To you I 

Mure, To me : and therefore, as a rassal, 
From this hoyr learn to serve me, or you'll fee* 
I muiit moke uie of my nutbority, 
Aud, as princess, puciLah it* 

hak A princess ! 

Mart. I had rather be a slave unto a Moor, 
Than know thee for my cquaL 

luih. Scornful thing ! 
Pruud of a white face. 

Mart. Let her but rememberl 
The issue in her leg* 

Itab, The charge she puts 
The state to, for perfumes. 

Mori, And howsoever 
She seems when she*s made up, as sbe's herself, 
She itiuks above tlie ground » O thnt 1 could reach 
The little one you scorn so, with her nails [you ! 



* M*Tc. Kta, it ran «39ttt4i] 
«litioai, Km, t aumpioAf 



So the iM copluM : ibe iiMKlem 



t Wsrc For ymu, |»fipp«t 

Msri. W1ltf/<i/*«»wf, piiicfrocT] 

" Now ] prreclrc 1b*i tbt hutb made coinpire 

Bt'twren oar fixtures" 

Puppet ami ma}f poUf, And tn»iiy oihcr tcrieiui of equal rlc(»n«f 
arc bJiQiUed -tbi^ut b<.'tw.i.H'n Ut^raili «ndl |Jcleii«» la Mid- 
mtmmer- \iijht s Drmm, which ti here loo ckt^tfly ImiuteU, 
I fbrbeai ic qnMtc: tlji' |>4»sagci, Mrliklh are famUUr lu every 
itader of |^hak»peiirc. 

I MdrL f^t her 6Mt mrnnrtbrr, Ike] Per thii, Matddfer 
b indebted to lu« rc,«(K-cuhk antboiitj, to tli« tretcberoiu 
loqnaclty of the dtitdit «9'> tiaUijtj; womna, la her midiijifht 
eonfetfncp with Don Qaixixt^. Tht-ie trall§, bowevrr <li»- 
tV>lio£t *rr not wilbiml thetr value; thry tilrf>ticly murk tli« 
prevniuifiC fi-aiarct of i\w thnc't, which are unWerMlly eoirw 
■Qd tnitflicjti* : th(?Y cvhttnt «l»ri a circumfisacc worthy of 
panicitUr notice, nAJiu-ly , UiAt i]s«ft.- viguroiu poweri of gmim 
Whiih carry men far b^'ynnd Ihc litirary •lmt« of thi^tr age, 
do m*t c-nalik* thorn to oiiitjo th«t of Iti inaniipni. Tliii in«»i 
•crvi- a« at\ apoIi>^" fi.r otir amthor; ludeed, it i» ihp only 
Oflv Ihrtt irtft he oitered for matiy who ttaod liiglicr in the 
ranki of fame than MuMfagctrStMl who bavt still more nct.*d 
ofU, 



Would tear your painted fSioe, sad aotttch i1io«* I 
Do but come down. [«J^ ^'^^ I 

Marc. Were there no other wsy, 
Out leapiuji^ an thy neck» to break mine ow 
Rather than be outbraved thus. [Sk§ i 

Grac» Forty t^uests 
Upon the little hen : she's of th« kind, 
And will not leare tbe pit. [jUid»<> I 

Mart. Tbat it were lawful 
To meet her with a pouiard and a pintol ! 
But these weak hands shall shew my apleen* 

jRe-enter I^lAncELU behm* 

Mart, MTiere are von ! 
You modicum, you dwarf! 

MarL Ifpre, g:inntess, here, 

£ntfr Francisco, Tibehio, and Stxpuatvo^ 

Fran, A tumult in the court ! 

Mari, Let her come on, 

Fran. What wind hath raised this temped ? 
Sever them, I commood you. \Vhat*8 the cause f 
Speak, Mariana. 

Mari 1 am out of breath j 
But we shall meet^ we shall. — And do you besr ^i 
Ur ri|;ht me on this monster, (she's thi«e feet 
Too high for a woman,} or ne'er look to have 
A quiet hour with me. 

Isab, If my son were here, 
And would endure this, maj a mother's cam 
Pursue and orertake him t 

Fran, O forbear : 
In me he^s present, both in power and wiTT ; 
And, madam, 1 much grieve that, in his ubsencr. 
There should arise the least distaste to move fcn i 
h being his priucipal, luiy, only charge, 
To have you, in his absence, served and honour'd, 
Ai when him«elf perform'd the willing office. 

Maru This is nne, i'fmtb. 

Grac. I would I were well off! (not, 

Fran. And therefore, 1 beseech you, madam, frown 
Till most unwittingly he hath deserved it. 
On your poor serviint j to your excelleuoe 
I ever was and will be such ; and lay 
The duke 'a authority* trusted to me. 
With willingness at your feet. 

iljcirt". O base ! 

Imb. We are like 
To have an equal judge I 

Frai». Butj should I find 
That you are touch 'd in any point of honoor 
Or that the least neg^lect is lairu upou yoa, 
1 then iinnd up a prince. 

I Fid, ^Vitbout reward, 
Prav you dismiss us. 

Grac, Would I were five leases benoe ! 

Fniri, 1 will be partial 
To nonei not to myself; 
Be you but pleased to shew me my offence. 
Or if yoQ hold me in your g^ood opinion » 
Name tliose that have offended you. 

Imb. I am one, 
And 1 will justify it. 

Mart. Thou art a base fellow, 
To take her part. 

Fran. Remember, nhta the dutehess. 

Marr. But used with more contempt, than if t 
A peasant 8 daughter ; baited, and hooted at. 
Like to a common stnmipet ; with loud noisee 
Forced firom my prByeri ; and my private elmmber, 
Which, with all willin|^oess» I would make my pritoii 



i 

k 

k 
I 



^ 



*: 



I 



Dttriar ^« ill— irw of toy lonl» dcmied in« : 
Bat tf 1>» «W return 

Fmn. Were yon am actor 
In ihis lefrd ooiEi«>dj 1 

Mari. A J, many wi» I j 
Ajid will be on* again. 

imh. in join with her. 
Though jTOu fvptne «i it. 

Frmm, Think not, then, I ipeak, 
For I sluul bound to honour, and to nerve you, 
tint th*.f the dyke, that hve* in t]itg great imly. 
For thfc oontflDpt of him in h«r, commwidsi you 

l«dk. Mari, Prisonenl 

FfVH, fi««r then beno« ; 
Thit m jronr charge, my tend Tlbeno, 
Aadl, StephBDo, this is yours. 

Jl«rc I am not cruel, 
list pilnnnd tbiM^ mav haT« liberty. 

iimh^ Pleased, witb a miscliisf f 
Jlcrt. Ill imther Iitc in any loatJi^otne dungeon^ 
Tlan in a paradise at her entreaty : 
Mmd^ for jan. apstan 
Sifph. There u no eontendiog. 
Ti^ Whstehan become of tli«i6? 
Ffnmm Soe them well Mrhijip*d, 
Aa TMI will snawffr it. 
■ Ttk, Kow, fiiipiior Graecho» 
I Wlwi think yoo* of yoor^nattMiM? 
1 1 Gf*«. 1 pf««eh patience. 
And araaC mtium my fortune. 
1 Wid, I was never yet 
I At nscli m huntViipf , nor was so rewarded. 
I ( [ Esmnt aU hut Fnncisec and MaretHa* 
JL Frmm, Let iham fiest know themtelTes, and bow 
^■^ yo« af« 
^PTo W aerred and honoqr'd ; which , when ihey coti- 

YoQ vny ng«tn receive them to your fiif our ; 
And llMtt it wiQ «Lew nobty. 

Ifere. With my thanks 
The dmkm thmll pey^ you his, if he return 
To blsMS mm with nis nreaence. 
Frmm^ Tliefn is nottaiaf 

enn be added to your hit acrepunce ; 
im the pciae, indeed ; all else are htunks. 
And nf an vnloe. At, in Tirtuous actions, 
Th* MldKllktr finds a full rnword, 

'd urpoa uulhoakful men ; 

fib. iVew Jitter Gmecka, 



, . sad Mr. M. l|Mi«^n ri>lkiv» lli« i«cuttd,>fvliicb rt^di, 

Whaltm ie<s «H ^ptmr ffrentntat f 

« I 1^ / Mli MnvT TfH 

A i Midi « iMlir* nitrl Tkr Jkiun/'t Mjr wm « tnaon ati lh« 



Nira, sieysrf seder liir «U»{|»w» 
ep In lbs leenlng. It wa<i, |m 
ssie^ iBf H Is ins%a«iiil> applk i 
|i«sft« as aev astM* *^ • UMM'«.r 
Mitosw Tnvten' 

^ave^vMli. ^* 

Ivas " mt fstfs •>' 
siirti Thm ifSI r 

AMIi* t:, 
ti k» !»' 



-r .ii,,r1. 



.iti n.t 



11, (^At 

! who, M 
»»e|| 



U|l. 

n.ttMrrnun'« wife, 
«vc a AwnriNvp of our 



0v«« wMcH Is anil fUt*4 «mWt ibt wlodow* tiT tl»il«KiMi 
spefaaman* ani •<■■» ef e choras ef sms, tfofSt sad hmm, 
nst a Hitfe etanafen^ 



Sot any aemrkn dime fo »o much sv^^eelness. 
However dangerous, and suhject to 
An ill construe tioa , in jrour mvcur finds 
A wisb'd, and g^loriouj end. 

Marc, From you, 1 tiike this 
As loyal duty ; but, in sny other* 
It would sppear g^aa flattery. 

Froti. FJaltery, madam ! 
Yon are so rare and exeellecit m all (lan^'ft, 
And imiied ao high upon a rock of ^JotlneAs, 
Am that rice cannot r^ch you* ^ who but looks on 
Tbi^ temple, built by nature to perfection, 
Dut mu»t bow to it ; and out of that seal, 
Not only leom to adore it, but to love it ? 

ifcfarc. Whither will tliia fellow f [iiicfe, 

J^rsit. Pardonj. therefore, madam. 
If an excess in me of bumble du^, 
Teach me to hope, and though it be not in 
ITie powtT of man to merit such a bltiiaeing) 
My pjvty, for it in more than love. 
May find reward. 

Mftrc, You have il in my thanks ; 
And, on my band, I fim pleaudd tbatyou sbjill Inkn 
A full [loiisesaion of it ; hut, take ba^ 
That you fix here, and feed no hope beyocid it ; 
If yoo do, it will prove ftital. 

Fran, Be it deothp 
And death with torments tyrants ne'er found out. 
Yet I must say, I love you^ 

Marc. As a subject ; 
And 'twill become you, 

Frafu Foreweli circumstance ! 
And sinci* you are not pleased to utider^timd me, 
But by a plain and usual form of sp«ech ; 
Ali superjstitioua reverence laid by, 
I love you as n man, and, as a man, 
I would enjoy you. Why do yuu start, and fly null 
I am no monster, and you but a womitUp 
A woman made to yield, and by example 
Told it is liwful : favours of this nature. 
Are, in our tige, no miracles in the greateat ; 
And, therefore, lady » 

Marc. Keep off, O yon Powers ! 

Libidinous beast ! and, add to that, unthankful ! 

A crime, which creatores wanting reason, fly from ; 

Are all the princely bounties, favoun, honours. 

Which, witn some prejudice to his own wisdom. 

Thy lord and niij^r bath confi»rr'd upon thee, 

In three days abi^ence buried } Hath he made thee, 

A tiling ob^rure, almost without a name, 

The envy of ^reat fortunes ? Hare I graced thee, 

Beyond thy rank, and entertsin'd tb«e, as 

A friend, and not a aervaut } and in this, 

This impudent attempt to taint mine honoor, 

The fair return of both our vantuied &Toa»l 

Frail. Heor my excuse. 

Afarc. The devil may plead mercy. 
And witli as much assurance, as thou yield one^ 
Bums lust so hot in ihee ? or is thy pride 
Grown up to such a height, that, but a princess, 
No woman can content thee ; and, »dd to it, 
His wife and princc*ss. to whom thou art tied 
In all the bonds of duty ? — Read my life, 
And find one act of mme so loosely c»rned^ 
lliat could invite a most selMoving fool, 

■ jiB ihM vjcsesBiuil rtach ptm ;) i. r. rtvttrry - ConrUf 
dfterft lite old titpUr» ken, and resdit I know nut for wli«t 



Tkitt vke etn Bfvrf rmrh jftmi 
Hi* AdUlei foUcw* lijin, ss miimL 



THE DUKE OF MILAN, 



[A^a 



Set off with all tliat fortune could throw on him. 
To the least hops to fiod way to my favour f 
And. whal^t th« wormt miae'coeniiM could with we, 
lU be thy stnimpet. 

Fratu 'Tia aciriowIed|(^t mndiiiD, 
That your wliole course of hie hatlj been a pattern 
For cbaate and virtuous wom*?ru In your brauty^ 
Which 1 firat aaw, and loved, as a fair erysutt, 
1 read your h««venly mind, clear and uiiuint«d ; 
And wliiW the duke dHl pnKe you to your valuer 
Could It hnw been in man to pay that duty, 
I Ht'll mi'^ht c^avy bim, hut durat oot hope 
To stop vtju in your full esr«i»r of goodneaa : 
Btit DOTv I find that ho'a fairn fromhia fortiUM, 
And, howtfopver ho would appear dodng, 
(iniwn cold in hiif aifectioa ; 1 presume. 
From hit iDo«t barbafoua neglect of you, 
To o derm J true senriee. Nor fttorid I bound, 
To look beck oci the oourteaies of hirn, 
TImt, of til! living men, is most unthtinkfuL 
Marc. Uuljeara-of impudeure f 
Fran* \'oull Bay I am modett, 
Wheu I have told the acory- Can he tax »•• ^ 
ITiat have received some worldly trifies from him. 
For being' uni^teftil ; when Im. that lirat tasted. 
And hath bo lon^ enjoy'd. your sweet embracea, 
In which nil blessinp^s that our frail condttion 
U capable of, are wholly compTvht'ndini, 
As cloy M with haiipine^fl, contemns the ^iver 
Of liis felicity t and, as he reach 'd Dot 
Th*» mu^terpiece of mischief whirh be airai at, 
Unkms hi' pay tho.^e lavourA lie Htauds bound to^ 
With fell and deadly hate'. — Vou think he bveit you 
With iineiarapliMl fervour ; rniy^ dotes on y»m, 
As ther« wen* something in yot» more than woman; 
^Vherip on my knowlcdj^^e, he long since hath wi<»h'd 
V'oM were nmoug the dead y — and 1, you acoiii so, 
Fer)iiijis, ttm your preaerver* 

Marc. J^fejis nie« ^ood ■Dgela, 
Or I am bhiJited f Liea to fiuae and wicked, 
And laiihion'd to »o dainnitblea purpose, 
Cannot be spoken by a human toni^ae^ 
My husband hate me ! |pve thyself the lie, 
Faiae and aecurs^d f Thy soul, if thou bast any. 
Can witness, never ludy stood so bouud 
To the unfeigu'd a0ection of her lord, 
As 1 do to my Sforsa. If ihou would At work 
Upon niy wcok credulity* teli roe, rather. 
That the eortb moves ; the sun and stars stand itiO ; 
7 he ocean LeepA nor floods nor ebbs ; or that 
There's jwace between the lion and th*i lamb ; 
Or that ilie ravenous eagle and the dove 
Keep in one aerie*, and bring op their youn^ i 
Or any thing that is averse to nature ; 
And f wUl swmer credit it, than that 
My lord can thusk of me, butaa a jewel. 
He loves more than him*elf, and all tlio world. 

Fr«w. O mnocence ad»u»ed f simplicity coxen'd I 
It were a sin, for which we have no name, 
I'o keep yon longer in tlits wilful error. 
Read his aifecuon herv ; — [Gittt hfr a jMpfr*] — and 

ibftn obsu&rre 
Kow dear he holds yon ! 'Tls his chamcler, 
W hich cunning yet oould never counterfeit. 



• f>r that th* rnttmmt rofile and f*# dvv* 

Jkfftt fH m%* nvtw^ k. e. la on« neiL Mr. Mp Mi*on 
dc£rAdr» M«»^*ii]j$vr unit blin««>lf, by roKtiiif, Kiyrp tn am§ 
ivUrv I i(ficlt r»#h nets, intl #uch tncon«v«teDce, it Is to bt 
tioptrd, i!o nut oiti'ti nirvi in one pti^oo. 



Msfr. Tie his hand, Tm resolved* of it. Tit try 
What the inscriptioti is. 
Fmn, Pray you, do so* 

Blafc [reads.] Ycu kmm m}f pt^ture, ^nd tk$ kmr 
tf Marcriia*§ dmth, which Jttil not to ei^i^iU, *t iftm 
witl dfiiiarr lAs cumtrvfry, unl with ^^nr hmd d/«Me, Wf 
tcith iht ruin ef your whahJamUy.' J»d thU, wtiotm 
with mirtt cum hand^ and $igmd Ktth my prii^ tig^ti* 
thali be jftmr iufficient warrant. 

Looovioo 8vo«t4. 
I do obey it ; every word's a poniard. 
And reaches to my heart. [5JW mmM 

Fran^ What have 1 done ^ 
Madam ! for heaven a sake, madam ! — O my fatef 
111 bend her body 4 : this is, yet, some pleeanre . 
Ill Idas her into a new life. Dear lady * — 
She stira. For the duke's sake, for Sfon&'s sftke— 

Mar€. Sforza's' stand off, though d«ed, 1 will 
he hii. 
And even my ashes shall abhor the touch. 
Of any other. — O unkind, and cruel 1 
Learn, women, learu to trust in one nnother ; 
There is no faith in man : Sfona is IjUm^ 
Falwto IVJfircetia ! 

Fvaiu But I am true, 
And Uve to make you happy. All the pomp, 
Slate, and observanct) you had, hemg hijk. 
Compared to wli:at you shall enjoy, when bum. 
Shall bn no more remeoiber'd* Loan Itia nsBMry* 
And look with cheerful beams oo yournew creMitr^; 
And know, what he bath plotted for your good. 
Fate cannot alter. Jf the emperor 
lake not his life, at his return be dies, 
And by my hand ; my wife, that is hie heir, 
8h&ll q|uickly follow : — then we reign alone! 
For with this arm 111 swim througb sens of blood. 
Or make a bridge, arch'd with the bouea of me 
But 1 will grasp my aims in you, my dearMi, 
Dearest, and best of women |! 

Mure. 1 hou art a villaia ! 
All attributes of archvillains made into Que, 
Cannot express thee. 1 prefer fbe hate 
Of Sforza though it mark me for the grare. 
Before thy base affection. I am yet 
Pure ai]d unspotted in my true love to him ; 
Nor shall it be corrupted, though he's t&inted : 
Nor will I part witli innocence, because 
He IS found guilty. For thy«df, thou art 
A tiling, that, eijuiil with the devil himaelf, 
1 do delost iind scorn. 

Fra flu Thou, then, art nothing : 



* *fHM Mm hand, Pm molvcd qfit,] I am eonvl 

Ut <K» the wofxl h rrcqttcnlljr avpcl l»y M««»ti«Mir'> < 

porjiri««. Thu» F1«ich«r. in th* Fmthfui TVjift#r^i 

** Bill he they (ai fi^in mc wlUi ibi-ir Umd Ivrritf J 

I SKI Ttmtpi^i *n> (TltUtr y«t U Irur.** 
Aeil WvlMrr. in th^ H kite l^trit: 
** I am matwd, 

Were IIktc a M^on<l p«r»iti«e lo lf>st, 
TbU ri«vll woaUl lH*tr»y ii," 
} i*U iK-ml hrr iHit*Ij( i~Ti« try if iker* Iw any Ufa la i 
Tba», in tV .%taid§ Trrty^ti^ 

" rvv bratil, it ittrn* iMr anv lifv. but hem 
Tbc IhmIv ibiu, awJ it n'ill *bow Ii*r1i." 
} infill / «pi» fratp mv Slm* In )un, my 4n»ff>«#^ 
lhar**t, tmd miiwf'wmm m f 1 It wintlil Mui<r«>lv be etm 
dlte<l,irwe hMd »"* •»"• m.-.i h...... ... .i -. .. , .....V..^ ..., 

aQlm^ted exprv 
M M4M«n »ImuI 

my iinn», III (be !,. .1,. i ...; ; , ..*.,,., 4.,.^,„, . 

rvAilin^ i* Piitipic iHftiM-iiMr, which !■ brit#r iMa < 
■ophifllkaiMjtt, Jia ii c»rii«» Miapkkin, 




L\ 



THE DUKK OF MILAN. 



73 



tfi$ is in my povri^, diadaiiiful womaa I 
oa't. sod Ireinhle. 
re No, though thou w^t nofr 
ly thy haa^man'a jjart. — ^Thou well maj'it be 
ceeationar, imd art only (it 
Mk «aiplaTii)«ttt , but n« er hopo to hsve 
mat g^niiaa from me. 1 wiil never ie« thee, 
a liie abame of men : so, with my corflca 
MTor to tliy conscience in this life. 
Mans in hell hi^reaftftr, I spit at thee ; 
making hodle to midce my peace with heaTeiii 
Dt tbee as my haogman. [£xj|. 



Fnsft, I am lost 
In UiH discovery of this (iital aeeret. 
Curs'll hope, that flattered me* tbit wroiiga oouM 

makti lier 
A straiif^er to hpT g^oodness ! all my plots 
Turn back upnn mys«lf ; but I urn in. 
And mu4t en on : and, since 1 have put off 
From thtj sliore ofiimooeiioe, pjuiU be now ray pilol ! 
Reveiit;^ tiriit wrought me*; murder's hia twin- 
brother : 
One deadly sia, then, help to cure fiaoihef ; [Eiit, 




ACT III. 



I*. — Ths Im pedal Camp. B^/br* Pavia. 
E-ntfT M£i>tK^, Hranamdo, afid ALPiioitso, 

iL The spoil, the ipoil T 'tis that the soldier 

ights for. 

rictorv, as yet, affordsi os nothingf 

rouuils and empty honour^ Wt< have passed 

iftxard of a dri*»dfu{ day, and forced 

mge with our swords through all the dangers 

p«gtf-Ulre, wait on the success of war ; 
now exp«%t reward* 
rn. Hell put it in 

meoiy's mind to be desi>erate, and hold out ! 
ioigs and compositions will undo us; 
w^t is that way ^iven. for the most port, 
» to tbff eotperor^i coSers, to defmy 
^arge ftf the great action, as 'tis mmotirM ; 
1, mually, tome thing in grace, that iie*er 
beard 

»uQon's roarinfi^ tongue, but at a Critimphr 
in, and for hi^i intercession shares 
usl we fought for ; the poor soldier left 
arre, or fill up hospitals. 
tk. But, when 

oter towns by force, and carve ourselves, 
ure with pillage, and the richest wines, 

OQr ahrunk-tfp veins, and pour into them 

blood and fervour 

sL 1 long Co be at it ; 

Mr ibeee chuffs*, that every day may spend 

dier's entertainment for a yvvr, 

naliB a third meal of a buueh of raisinsf ; 



W am tkemt cJinll*,] 8« U rttwid in cTery e*liiiofj bi-r*fr« 
f. If<«i<fi'», whro It wj*» .ilttrnil lu v hough t, ^w\ th 
d is « Diitv^ ui ijiv^n mat/pir» f Wbjit mMff^iicf coaUl 

t llbi>iii;Kf Al nil on rUe viibjrti. ri> rJi^CMVer. The tnttb 
i dhi^li lh« evuniDc wurd : it ia 4lw4>t ascd iti « bud 
aad raesDt t r.u*nit URmaiiiM:redck»wn,al oncviorflid 

rt maki- a tliSri m^al of a hunch ^raitins -l So all th* 

' I r; but Mr. M. M«jkitj. 

< u-d thv |,to<-r» btoir'Irr, 

:. . pnMvii^ thin, **lbi- 

;«/'«juiJtit In, " i < rroni^iitii : the ii»«VJii]p[ 

d mtmi ol r«isia . two gixjtl jnenl^ b* ore, 

be no proorof j** i | ihrtrrotc re.«d thn" 

Umaiy, ws* ever ■Jtrration *«► capririouA, was vver rt»- 

; M> mbamrd t Wbvre li It nid thji rbe*« ehnifa " bad 

iwv good laesla btton 1** U not ibv wliulc lernl. orj 

» speech to thtm that ihvy «Utv«Nl ilu iii!m Iviv Ut ti c 

4tif«taa(l«oce f and are not tlie rcprn«rht i «uch, *f It^ve 

Ea«, ia sU «{«, hy m^n of Alediiu* •t4iiip, on the 



These spongOT, thst suck up a kingdom's lat. 
Battening like scsnibs t in tlie dun^ of peace. 
To be squeesed out by ih# tough hand of war ; 
And all that their whale ltve& have heaped together \ 
By coienage, perjury, or sordid thrift, 
With one grifw to lie ravish'd. 

Hern, i would be touiing 
Their fair mniloims, that in little dogs, 
^lonkeyst and pnra<|uittoB, consume thousands: 
Wt, for the advancement of a noble action, 
Rppine to part with a poor piece of eig-ht : 
War's plague*) upon them I 1 have seen them stop 
Their scornful noses first, then seem to swoon, 
At sig^lit of a buf jerkin, if it were not 
Perfumed, and hid with gold : yet these nice wontona, 
Spurr'd on by luint, covered in some diseruiser 
To meet some rough court-stallion, and be leap'd 
Durst enter into any common brothel, 
ThoujB^h all varieties of stink couleud there ^ 
Yet pmiAC the etitertainmcnt, 

Mfd. I may live 
To see the tjitter'd'at rascals of my temp 
Dmg tlii*m out of their closeta with a vengeance; 
When neither threalenitig, flattering, kneeling, how- 
ling* 
Can ransome one poor jewel, or redeem 
Thpmselves, from their bluiit wooiug. 

Hern. My main hope is. 
To he^nn the sport at Milan : there's enough, 
And of all kinds of pleasure we can wish for. 
To sntijij^ the most covetotxs. 

Aiph. Every tlay, 
We look for a remove. 

Med. For IxKlowick Sforaa, 
The duke ol' Mihm, I, on mine own knowledge> 



fCfber and rrsgtl ejilfien, who livrd within kU Income 1 

*• 8«irJy;" «»y> iMoiwvH, \n thettty Match, 
" Sutil)', inytilr, 

Cli'hvr bit ftrtor, and an ancient cxt, 
DM Icrrijt fftrln ilkl, h id our Spanbb fare, 
Koar oJivc* araun^ tbrpir 1 M) uncle woald 
Liii'k r;it Mill} friitlng; I h*%'r known him turfelt 
I pan a busu?h qf ritinnBt »wuoii >t aigbt 
Or a wli«k j ok lit, Mhd riBC an vpictire 
From half an (.range." 
* Rfwngt^ Jfni wrm*yht me, Sec] The rradrr thtmld not 

•nffi-r Ibcae hlm», of wbicti he will find Mrvenii *n the tnc- 

cL'fdine page«, U* eftcttx* him : they are ik>( Ihruwi) out at 

iHUriuiM by Mawiniier, but Intvudrd t© prepare the oiliodl for 

the (Ircxdrul retalUliun whirh fc»[luw». 
r /tattcninff like le^nbtj Scardbt meant heellet. M* 

Ma SUM. Very true; and beetJei meiuta ■ca.rabsl 




74 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



[Act tir. 



Cnii aay thus much • he is too much a Hohlicr. 
Too confident of his own worth, too rich too* 
And understaoda too weD tlie emperor hat«a binip 
To hope for composition. 

Aiph, On mv met 
We ne«d not ^ear hie doming in *. 

Hem* On mine, 
I do not wish it : I held mthvr that. 
To shew hia valour, be'd put us to the trouble 
To f-ptch him in by the mn. 

MetL The emperon 

Fkmriik, Enter CiMnLrs, Vtst'Knx. ttftd Attendniilf* 

Chart Vou malte roe wonder: — niiy, il ia no 
counsfiltt 
YoQ mny tArtake it, gtintlemen : who*dbeve tbo^iglit. 
That he, that scorn *d our profTer'd umity 
Whfln he was sued to, shouhl. vtv !u! h** aiimm<>n.M 
AVLether persuaded to it by ha-^e feiir, 
Or flatter'd by false hope, which^ 'tia uncertain,) 
First kneel Tor merry ? 

MM. When your majesty 
ShiilJ please to iniitnjct us who it i», we may 
Admirt" it with v<^t» 

Vliort. Who. I>tit the duke of ]VIilan, 
The ri[3;ht brand of the French ! of all that stand 
In OUT di^pleouune, whom necessity 
Compels to sflek our favour, 1 would have sworn 
Bforxa had been the lasL 

Hffm. And shouM be writ ao, 
In the list of those you pardon. Would his ci(y 
Had rather held us out a siej,^©, like Troy, 
Than, by a feig:n*d aubmiaaion, he .should eheot you 
Of a just revenue ; or us, of those fair (glories 
We have aweat blood to purchase I 

Mfd. With your hooour 
You cannot henr him. 

Alftiu The sack alone of Milan 
Will ]mv thif amiy. 

Charf, I am not so weak, 
To bft wrought on. as you fear; nor ignorant 
That money is iho sinew of the war : 
And on what tfnua soever be seek pence, 
'Tis in our power to ^rant it, or deny it : 
Yet, for our plory» and to shew him that 
We*ve brought him on his knees, it is resolved 
To hear him as a suppliant, Brin^ bim in ; 
Bui let him see the effects of ourjust anger. 
In tJje guard that you make for him. 

[Eri* Peseariu 

ihnt. I am now 
Familiar with the issue ; all plagues on it I 
He will appear in some dejected habit, 
His countwnanee suitable, and, for bis or«ler, 
A rope about bis npck ; then kneel, and tell 
Old stories, what a wortliy thin^ it is 
T'O have power, and not to use it ^ then add to that, 
I II A tnle of king Tifpimes, and great Pompey, 

Who said, forsooth, and wisely ! 'Twas nmro honour 
To make a king, than kill one ; which, applied 
To Cbe emperor, and himself, a pardon & {^ranted 
To him, an enemy ; and we, hia aamnta. 
Condemned to beggary. 

• AlpK. On my life 

Wt nfed not fear hit C0tnin% \n,\ His furrrnder &i binutetr. 
H«maiKl(i, hi the nv%i eptech, playa iipoit th« vvonl, 

T ^iUt ii i* iw> cuun»cl,J i. c. no Mrcrrt : to 

ia €ypM> Jlfvenat* : 

** 1 ifVould worry hcf, 

A I nfvtt cur wtt wurrird, I itoutd, net j^b hour. 

Till iii> U'clii met 1 Imgw wh^tv ; tiut iliJit i« cvummL** 



Mt(L Yonder he comes ; 
But not OS you eipected. 

Rt-mter Pescsra with Sfohsa. 

Alph* He looks as if 
He would out face his dmngersu 

iienu I am co«en*d : 
A auitor, in the devil*s name ! 

Mtd* Hear him speak. 

Sj'ar, I come not, em|»eror, to invade iby m#fi 
By fawning on thy fortune ; nor brin^ with me 
Excuses, or denials. I profpss. 
And with a good man*!i confidence, even this msmnt 
That 1 am in thy power, I was thine eoetny ; 
Thy deadly and vow *d enemy ; one that wished 
Confuaion to thy person and estates ; 
And with my utmost powers, and deoj>ft§t C'OUfi««)«, 
Hrtd they been tnilv folluwM, furtliHrM ir. 
Nor will I now, akbouf^h my neck were under 
The hangman's axe, with one poor syllable 
Confess, but that I honoiir'd the t'rench king, 
niore than thyself, and all meu, 

Med* By saint Jaque^, 
This b ao flaUery 

Hem, There is fire and spirit m*t i 
But not long-lived, I hope. 

Sj^pr* Now give me leave, 
My bate against thyself, and love to him 
Freely acknowledged, to give np tiie rt-jtsoc»s 
That made me so affected : In my witut^ 
] ever found him faithful ; bad supplies 
Of men and monies from him ; and my hoftea, 
Quite sunk, were, by his grace, UuOy'd up a^^in : 
He WBs, indeed, to me, as my good angel. 
To guard me from all dungers. I dare ap«^. 
Nay, must and will, his praise now, in as hijgb 
And loud a key, as when be waa thy equaL 
The benefits he aow'd in me, met not 
Unthankful ground, hut yielded him his own 
With fair increase, and I still glory in it* 
And, thoucjh my fortunes, poor, compared to his. 
And Milan, weigh'd with France, appear as nothing, J 
Ape in thy fury burnt, let it be mention'd, ■ 

I'hey aer'red but as smoll tapers to attend 
The solemn flame at this great funeral • : 
And with them 1 will gladly wawte myself, 
Rnther than undergo the imputation 
Of being base, or untliankfuL 

Alph, Nobly spoken! 

Hem, 1 do begin, I know not why, to hate ium 
Less than I did. 

Sf (ir. If tljat, then, to be grateful 
For courtesies received, or not to leave 
A friend in his necessities, be a crime 
Amongst you Spaniards, which other nations 
That, bke you, aim'd at empire, loved, and chi*risli*d | 
Where'er ihey found it, Sforaa brings bia bead 
To pay the forfeit. Nor come I as a slave, 
Pinioned and fettered, in a squalid weed. 
Falling before thy feet, knet'ling and howling. 
For a forestaird reniissi.on : that were |j«DOr, 
And would hut shame thy victory ; for conquMl 
Over base foes, ia a captivity. 
And not a triumph. 1 ne*er fear'd to die. 
Mare than I wi!^h\l to live. When I bad reacb'd 
aiy end* in being a duke, 1 wore these robes. 



• ^-^i/lhl* ffrmifiMtrai.\ Mr. If. Maxm. 

whether by design or nut, I ihW ata 9«y. rrada, hit prmf 
Jimeral : mesDlaK, perhsp», lb* Fff ach kli»5*« i 1m»i thr *M 
rtadinfL is bcUcr in every rrsprtrt. 



^ SilEKi L] 



THE DUKE OP MILAN. 



75 



f 



TbU CTOWB upon my bead, and to my ad« 

Til is sword wns gin ^ and witness truth, that, now 

*Tia in aaother's power when 1 ahall part 

With them and life together, Vm the aame : 

Mjr reins then did not swell with pride ; nor now 

Shrink thvy for fear. Know, sir, that Sforza stiinds 

Ptepored for eitJier fortune. 

Hern. As I Lire, 
I do h«gin strangely to tore this fellow ; 
And could part with three quarters of my share in 
T1i« promised spoils to aare him. 

S/or, But, if example 
Of my fidelitv to the French, whose honours, 
Titles, and gtoriea, are now mix'd with yours, 
A a brooks, devoured by rirors, lose their names. 
Has power to inrite you to make him a friend. 
That haih given eridient proof, he knows to tore. 
And to be thankful ; this my crown, now yours, 
Voti may mtore me» and m me instruct [change, 
Tli«ae Sfare commanders, should your fortune 
Which now I i^'ish not, what they rosy expect 
From noble enemies, for being faithfuL 
Th« charges of the war I will defray^ 
And, what you may, not without hazard, force, 
Bring freely to vou : I'll prevent the criea 
Of murder'd in/ants, and of raviitb'd maid a, 
Which, in a city aack'd, call on heaven's justice, 
And atop the courae of glorious victories : 
And, when I know the captains and die soldiers. 
That liare in the late battle done be^t service, 
And are to be rewarded, I myself, 
A i ording to their oualily and merits, 
\\ ill see them largely reeompenaed^^I have said, 
And now expect laj aentence. 

Alp/u By this light, 
Tis a brave gentleman. 

Med. How tike a block 
The emperor sits ! 

Henu He hath delivered reasons •, 
Especially in bis purpos4> to enrich 
Sach ai fought bravely, I myself aai one, 

1 eare not wtio knows it, as I wonder thai 
He can be lo stupid. Now he begins to stir : 
Mercy, an't be thy wilt ! 

Chart Thou hast ao far 
Outgone flDT eapectalion, noble Sforra, 
For auoh 1 imld thee ;<— end tme constancy, 
Raised on a brave foundation. bear» such patm 
And privilege with it, that where we hi>hDld it. 
Though in an enemy, it does command na 
To lore and honour it. By my future hopes, 

2 am glad, for thy aake, that, in s«t*king lavour, 
TlkNi didst not Mrrow of vla^ her indirect, 
Crooked, and abject means ; and for mine own. 
That since my purposes must now be changed, 
ToQchjng thy life and fortunes, the world cmiuot 
Tax me of leviry in my settled counwls ; 

I being neither wrouglu by tempting bribes, 
Nor servile fiattt^y \ but force«l into it 
By a &ir war of virtue. 



* Hi kaik ddkKT^d n*M9K) U^niiiido «vid«i)ily neaw 
lo «7 th4t 8l«rts tiM »pokca ritloBslly, «tp«ci«lly la eX' 
prrMJiif kit perpoM of coricliin^ tlXMc who rtJfiKiii brif «ty : 
tlM wonl rmmmt in ibc plnraJ wiU out exurcw IImI Avnac. 
M. Masoji. 

li« tbcrclart tlten It rn rratott f Tn adernpt to prctve ttiat 
tla« «ld copifti *r« ftifltt. wmoM hcMjpvrflouui :— but I caiiOMl 
reflect* wilhAol ivme m^li^iiaticm, un the »randAlucis niaonrr 

4le^f«B it «ir metfe and *cjaiic,«Dil Utiiii buildt up new rasd- 
Iftfi 06 hltoina biuoden. 



H^m. This sounds wall. 



r pasaages ( 
I arms 1 me 



For diua with open anna f meet thy love, 
And as a friend embrace it ; and so fur 
I atu from robbing thee of the letist hooour, 
That with my hands, to make it ait the faster, 
I set thy crown once more upon thy head ; 
And do not only style thee, Duke of Alilan, 
But vow to Iceep tl^ so. Yet. nor to take 
From others to give only to mysflf •, 
I vrill not hinder your ma'iniSrpnce 
To my commanders, ti either will I urge it ; 
But in ibat, as in all things eke, 1 leave }ou 
To be your own diaptjaer , 

[F^rtsA. ErU with AttendanU^ 

5fer. May I live 
To seal my loyalty, though with loss of life, 
In some brave service worthy C,TBar*s favour, 
And I shall die most happy ! GpntlfOien, 
Receive m© to your lores ; and if bence forth 
There can arise a difference between ua. 
It shall be in a noble emulation 
Who bath the fairest sword, or dare go farthest. 
To Bgfat for Cherles the tiinperor. 

Hem. We embrace you. 
As one well read in all the points of honour : 
And there we are your scholars. 

'^JifT, True ; but auch 
As far outstrip the master. Well contend 
In love hereafter j in the mean timH, pray you. 
Let me discbarge my debl, and, a* an eameat 
Of wbat'a lo come, divide this cabinet: 
In the small body of it there are jewels 
Will vield a hun(lred thousand piatolets» 
WhicK honour me to receive* 

Med, You bind us to yon. fhis presence, 

Sf'or^ And when great Charles commantJs roe to 
If you will please to excuse my abrupt departure, 
Designs that most concern me, next this mercy, 
Calling me home, I sball hereafter meet you. 
And gratify the favour* 

Horn, In this, and all things, 
We are your Bervants. 

Sf<fr. A name 1 ever owe yon. 

[Eieunt Medinttt Htnwndo, and Alphomok 

Pesc. So, air ; this tempest is well overblown. 
And all things fall out to our wUhes : but, 
In my opinion, this quick return. 
Before you're mode a party in the court 
Among the great ones* (for these needy captains 
Have little power in peace,) may beget danger, 
At least suspicion. 

S/ttT, Where true bonour lives, 
Doubt hath no being : I desire no pawn 
Beyond an emperor's word, for my aaeunmce. 
Besides, Peacora, to thyself, of all men, 
1 will confess my weakness : — though my stole 
And crown's restored me, though 1 am in grace. 
And that u little stay might be a step 
To greater honours, I must hence. Alaa ! 
I live not here ; my wife, my wife Pescaraf, 



-YW, Hot to tahti 



From othera, to jfive vnty to in>*clf,J ThSd l« \he rmding 
of nil ihe uld iMLipit»>, nnd nulliinif cud be clearer ih^u llitt ll 
la perfectly proper. Tbc rutMlrm cdilor*, huwtfvCT, c]iioo«e 
lo w«4kt'a boUi tUc »tDK and (he fcntimctit, b^ a cuDccil oi 
ibeir own : tb«y priiii,- -toifiteonl^to lh)»«lfl 

r mp wiff, my wVe, Pfmutra^] Mr. M. Maton 

feebly aiut uDinetrically reaiJi, mff w^ftt PcMCara* Tbere 

ft p-€jt beiuiy in tite repclitioo ; it U, besldet, perfectly la 
cJivncicr. 



k 



T6 



THE DUKE OF MILABT. 



[Act m. 



Being absent, I am d^d. Pritbee, exciiM» 
And do Qot cbidf", Tor friendship's ssk^, my fbadneu, 
^Qt ridn Hloug with ma ; I'll (pre you reuoiu» 
And strong ohm, to ptimd fof me. 

PgMc. Use your own pleasure ; 
I'U bear vou company, 

Sfhr, farewell, ^pief ! I ani stonsl wiib 
Two blessings most d:f4j«ti«trl m liuniaii life, 
AcoixfltftDt friend, an unsuj^wcl^d wife, \_Ejeuni, 



SCENE U,—Mitan.—A Roam in the CoMtle*, 
Enter an Officer uHth Graccho. 

Offie. What I did, I had warrant for; you haF© 
tiwted 
My oflici^ gentry, and for those loft strokes, 
Flea-bilings to the jerks I could have tent you, 
Tbere doea belong a feeling. 

Grue, Must I pay 
For being tormented, and diahonourM I 

Offie, l-le ? no, [out 

Your honour's not impair'd in*t. What'a the letting 
Of a little corrupt blo*i*lt , and the up* t way too \ 
There b no auri^eon like me, to t«ike ofi* 
A courtier's itcli tliat'H rampant at grvot ladies, 
Or turnn knave for prefenni^nt, or grow^ii pruud 
Of hid rich cluuks and JuittSp though gut by hrokage, 
And so forgets his betters, 

Grae. \'ery good, sir : 
Dut am [ the ftrst man of quality 
That e er came under your fingera ? 

D/^V. Not by a tlioysand ; 
And they have Koid 1 hsve a lucky hand too : 
iioth men and women of all »orL3 have bow'd 
Under tliis sceptre. I Iiaire had a feltow 
That could endite, forsooth, and make fine metrei 
To liokle in the ears of ignonint madams, 
That, for defaming of great roen, w a« iwnt me 
l*hrt;adbare and Iou*v, and in three diiys after, 
Discharged by another Uiat set him on, 1 ha ire seen 
Cap a pie gallant, and hia stripes wash'd off [btm 
With oil of angels4 

Gnjf, Twas a aovereign cure. 

Offic, There was a sectary too, that wouJd not be 
Confornmblo to the orders of the churcli, 
Nor yield to any orgument of reason. 
But still rail at authority, brought to me. 
When I had wormed his tongue, and tnuu*d hia 

haunches. 
Grew a fine pul pitman, and waa beneficed : 
Had be not rause to thtmk me ? 

Grat. There waa pfayalo 
Waa to the pufnoae* 

OJfie. Now, for women « air, 
For your more consolation, 1 could tell you 
I'wenty fine stories, but I'll end in one, 
And 'tis the last tlist'a memorable. 

Gmc, Prithee, do ; 
For I grow weary of thee. 



* Milan. A Room in the CoMtfe,] Here ttio CoKctrr puaU, 
** Boom eham§tt to Pimf* tnA hcr« too he* It followed by 
Ihv **mMt sccorcir ofcilMon,*' Mr. M. Mii»oq. 

f 0/a iiltU cornint blood,] Ik) ihv nid copiei ; Ibe mod em 
edUun rvMt\, Of a Utttt cumipled hhod^ Tbi« rrdiice* ifae 
Hac tu very eood ytot/tt whleh is lodi-td lt» only mrril. 

I W^ith oH of angeli.] It may be Ja«t Dccesnry to nbverve, 
Ibtt thii l« « pleaaiDl allH»bn to lliv (old coin of Ibai nsme. 



Offic. There was lately* 
A fine abe- waiter in the court, that doled 
Extresbely of a gentleman, that had 
fits miiiii dependence on a signior's faTOur 
r will not name, but could not compaaa him 
On any term 9. 1 hta wmatoo at de«d midniglit, 
W'aHi tcmnd at the m:«rcise behind the ama, 
W'nh the 'foresaid signiur : be got clear oC 
liut she was seized un, and, to sare liia bt>aoai« 
Endured the lasb ; and, though 1 made her ofteo 
C'urvet and caper, ahe would never tell 
Who play'd at pushpin with ber. 

Grac, But what followed T 
Prithee be brief. 

Offic, \\hv this, air : She, delivered. 
Had store of' crowns aasign' ber by her patron, 
Who forced the genttemiui, to tave her credit, 
To marry hir, and sar be wi«i the party 
Foynd in lob's {lound ; «y she, that, before, gladly 
Would have been his whore, reigna o'er htm aa bis 

wife ; 
Nor darea be grumble at it Speak bat trulh, tban. 
Is not iny office lucky ? 

Grac» Go, there's for thee \ 
But what will be my fortune ? 

Offic If you thrive not 
After that soft correction, come again. 

Grac, I thank you, knave. 

Offic, And tlien, knave, I will fityoa. [Eiit. 

Gruc. W hip t tike a rogue! no lighter puniabment 
serve 
To balance with a little mirth : *t is welL 
My credit sunk for ever, 1 am now 
Fit company only for pages and for footboys. 
That have perused the porter 'a lodgef. 

F.ntir Jvuo <tnd GtovANie4, 

Giov. See, Julio, 
Yonder the proud slaTe is ; how he looka oofr, 
Al^er his casli^^tion I 

Jul. As he came 
From a dose jigbt^ at sea under the hatches. 
With a ahe> Dunkirk, that was abot before 



• Offie, 7'Aereica#fa/ff|r,&c.'' 1 t>«*r KftW d<>ulv( bin ihAl 
Ihia tivtlv ulury Wii» Toiiodrd km r«ct,iin'1 i»cli uintrnifiH/d bj 
t M <:oiitfiiipunirle>fl. I'he courtier* were n 






the ipoet I 



Hint tkiiM lia 



imdt'umlrying iliimMlvei for ihr niomse and ||o«(ni|i hotn 
wliicli tlit^y had yABBtd iXunng tlir XtM iwt» «r tarce frtn of 
KlisMbetb ; und Thv co<iir»r %in\ Inetrfmol manaen of JefMa* 
wtibrh bordererl closrly od UceiilJi''jU*n«»*, sffdnled llniai 
kin (lie upp^rluoifiea. 

It {« •candy ncceii«ary lo inform tbe reader, tkml wtifr- 
ever our old drammhls laid the vcene u/ thirkt pl*J*> "'>* 
)i«biti end munntrsof lh<;m tre, cej»craU> •petklns, afttraty 
EnfUih as tlii« laneaagr^ 

t Fit company JOT paget attdjor/bolhofo. 

That have prrvard thr purier'i iod^^c] t e, rb4f kt*« 
been wlilpi there. The p<»rtfr*» l«»dE4?t l" ofir <niJ*<*r'ii dny*, 
vtXifn th« gresi <>laluii*dt and, iiidpt'l -> ? -i, r«>rriaMl, 

Ibe riKbl of eha.»li«liijr their flervntiT- <-tl plm<± of 

pnniBhtnenl. Thns Sliirley, in the < .inJt .' ^ - 

''My fHcnd, whiit makt' you here f i»< ^<mii , D^jFun*-, | My : 
— t berc li a. porfar^i lodfft el»c, wfei«re ycua may Mv* dM 
cliasii lament." 

I fW/cr Julio <rn<l GtoVAKFcil Tt«i« hat Wen liUkrrte 
prloted, Enter ht^ (wmttr*nm^ ihoMfjh •»!»« *>f Iheia b fwne' 
oiilety named. Not to multiply chiir<irltrr» Btiiirevacarily, I 
bav« inpptHied ihcfii tube flic tame tliat appear wlib Gfacdba, 
ia ihe Qrii -cent' of the Ar«t act. 

$ iuK At he came 

FVom a rfntr Jfjfht, Sic) Our old p«>Hii m*de *erf fN* 
mUb nne artc'thcr'* [ir*<perly t it iiii»»t bt- confrvtr'ifliowr^rf, 
tliAt their literary laplne diJ mA uiiuloAtt' in uovvfty, 9or 
they g*vt a» liberally a* tliey tu»k. T hi* •pevclk bas bprfc 
" runvey d" hy Pktclicr lalo tila emcvUeat ee»«dy ef lie 
Elder Broths : 



ScsnbUI.] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



77 



Between wind and water ; and ba haib apmng a leak 
Or I am coaen'd. . [too, 

G'uHf. Let's be mefij with him. 

Grac. How they atare at me ! am I tuni'd to an 
The wonder, gentlemen? [owl? 

JuL I read this morning. 
Strange atoriea of the paasire fortitude 
Of men in farmer agea, which I thought 
Imposaihle, and not to .be belie tred : 
But, now I look on you my wonder ce a ioa . 

Crae. The reaaon, sir ? 

JuL Why, sir, you bare been whipt, 
VVliipt, signior Graocho ; and the whip, I take it, 
U, to a gentleman, the greatest trial 
l*hat may be of his pati « ic e « 

Grac. Sir, 111 eall you 
To a strict account for this. 

Giov. Ill not deal with you. 
Unless I bare a beadle for my second ; 
And then 111 answer you. 

JuL Farewell, poor Graccbo. 

[EmmjiI Julio and GimnmnL 

Grae. Better and better stilL If erer wrongs 
Could teach a wretch to find the way to rengeance, 

£ttler FaAnaaoo and « Senrant 

Hell now inspire me ! How, the lord protector ! 
My judge ; I thank him ! Whither thus in private? 
I will not see him. [Stands atUU, 

Fran. If I am sought for. 
Say I am indiaposed, and will not hear 
Or saiu, or smtors. 

Serv, But, sir, if the princess 
Enquire, what shall I answer? 

Fran. Say, I am rid» 
Abroad to take the air ; but by no means 
Let her know Tm in court. 

Sen,. So I shall tell her. [Fxit. 

Fiun, Within there, ladies! 

Enter « Gentlewoman. 

Gentiew. My good lord, your pleasure ? 

Frmn. Prithee, let me beg thy fiirour for access 
To the dutchesa. 

GmUlew. In good sooth, my lord, I dare not ; 
Sbe'a Tciy priTate. 

fVm. Coaae, there's gold to buy thee 
A new gown, and a rich one. 

Gendew. I once sworef 
If e'er I lost my maidenhead, it abould be 
With a great lord, aa yon are ; and I know not bow, 
I firal a yielding inclination in me, 
If you MTe wppe/tkiB, 



' ^Tkey luok rneftdly, 

Ae Ihey had Mrwly come Orooi a vaBlllag boow, 
Aad hmA bcea mite ahol tlupu«i«li between wind and water 
By a ite-DwikIrk, and had »pmiic a leak, >lr/' 
* " * on Field 



the 



( nitty depredation 
hnOei 9t Ae .Duke ^ Milan prtcedcd that of /ib« 



Mretker, by ■uiny yean. 
• Praa. ioflmnrid 
ABremd, 4kc] So the cM coptet : the modeni editort, with 
•anal acewacy ard elegaaee, 

Smifrm rode 

Akr^ekLiLe. 

f 7 0scr avervl Both the oaartoa have a raarfinal bemlt- 

tich here : they real, Tkle wUi tempt me; aa adiHHon of Uie 

■aacecMary iaterpolatioa of the copyist, 

• " " •• laoa have 



epob* 
JOder 



Fran. Poz on thy maidenhead ! 
Where ia thv lady ? 

Gentiew- If you renture on her, 
She*a walkine in the gallery ; jierbaps. 
You will find her less tractable. 

Fran. Bring me to her. 

Gentiew. I fear you'll bare cold entertainment, 
when [tion 

You are at your journey's end ; and 'twere discre- 
To take a snatch by the way. 

Fran. Prithee, leare fooling: 
My page waits in the lobby ; gir9 him sweetmeats *, 
He is train'd up* for his master's eaae. 
And be will cool thee. [Eieunt Fran, and Gentiew. 

Grae. A brare discorery beyond my hope, 
A plot even offer 'd to my hand to worx on ! 
If I am dull now, may 1 lire and die 
The scorn of worms and slares ! — Let me consider ; 
My lady and her mother firat committed, 
In the favour of the dutcheas, and 1 whipt I 
That, with an iron pen, ia writ in brass 
On my tough heart, now grown a harder metaL — 
And all bis bribed approaches to the dutohrss 
To be conceard ! good, good. This to my Isdy 
Delirer'd, as 1*11 order it, runs her mad. 
But this may prove but courtahip f ; let it be, 
I care not, so it feed her jealousy. [Exiu 



SCENE lU.'-Anather Roam in the mme. 
Enter Marcelia and Francisco. 

Marc. Beli<^re tby tears or oaths ! out it be hoped. 
After a practice so abborr'd and horrid, 
Repentance e'er can find thee ? 

Fran. Dearest lady, 
Great iu your fortune, greater in your goodness. 
Make a superlative of excellence, 
In bemg greatest in your saving mervy. 
I do confess, ^urobly confe:is my fimlt, 
To be beyouu all pity ; m^ attempt 
So barbarou. y rude, that it would turn 
A saint-like patience into savage fury. 
But you, that are all innocence and virtue. 
No spleen or anger in you of a woman. 
But when a holy zeal to piety fires >ou. 
May, if you please, impute the fault to love. 
Or call it beastly lust, for 'tis no better ; 
A sin, a monstrous sin ! yet with it many 
1 hat did prove good men after, have been tempted ; 
And, though I'm crooked now, *tia in your power 
To make me straight again. 

Afarc. Is't possible 
This can be cunning ! 

Fran. But, if no submission. 
Nor prayers can appease you, that you may know 
I'is not the fear or death that makea me aiie thua. 
But a loath'd detestetion of my madneaa. 
Which makes me wish to live to have your pardon ; 
I will not wait the sentence of tbe duke. 
Since his return is doubtful, but I myself 
Will do a fearful justice on myself, 
No witness by but you, thf re being no more. 



proaipier, or aa 
which anuib the 
advanced k ii 



mmn. CMslar aad Mr. M. Maaoa i 



• iTeU traht'd up, Ac] A bemtoUch, or more, U kMt here, 
or, not inipn>b;ibly, parp(«el> omiiU-<t. I only mention it 
to accoont for the defect of nirtre ; tor the circanutance lt»eli 
b not worth regreitlnf . ,....,-,--. 

t But tkie map prone hut cMrtahIp : 9ic] That U, merely 
paying hi« coon to her a* dutrbcM. II Mason. 



7r 



THE DURE OF MILAN. 



[Acrni. 



When 1 offendecL Vol. before I do it, 
For 1 pprceive in you no sijj^is of mercy, 
1 will diticlose n secret » which, dying with me^ 
May prove your ruin. 

Marc. Sp«ak it ; it will take from 
TliH burtjien of thy conJici«nee* 

Fran, Thus, then, madam : 
The wamint by my lord siga'd for your death, 
Wtt« hut conditional ; but you mui*t swciir 
Uy vour unspottt-d truth, not to reveal it. 
Or 1 eud here abruptly. 

Marc. By my hopej 
Of joys hereafter. On. 
I rran. Nor wa« it bate 
That forced bini to it, but exceu of love : 
And, if I ne'er retarn, (t>o s*id gr«st Sfbrm^) 
No Uving man deserving to rij/i'v 
MltlmtMarcetia,trith ihrfint neu^ 
Tiifkt I am detid, (ffir no awH ttjtrr me 
Mttti f*er enjotf her) fail not to kiii her^ 
But tilt txrtatH proof' 

Jisur€ thee 1 am bit (tli««e were htii word^,) 
Observe and kauaur her, at if the snul 
Of tifomatt's gDcdneuonly due ft in her*t, 
1 his Trust 1 have abused, and bunely wroQ^'d i 
And, if the exctdling pity of your mind 
Cannot forgiv^e it, a* 1 dare not hope it, 
Rather tJmn bbk on my offended lord, 
I stand reaoU'ed li> punish iL 

Mare, Hold ! *tia forgiven^ 
And by me freely pardon 'd. In thy f»ir life 
HereufWr, aiudy to deserve this bounty. 
Which thy true penitence, such 1 believe it» 
Ap^uinst my reitolntion hoth forced from me. — 
Bui that my lord, my Sforza, should eiiteem 
My liftf fit only ua a [^^',1^0, to wait on 
The virioua course of hU uncertain fortunes; 
Or oheriish in himsnatf that i^ensual hope^ 
In death to know me an a wife, afflicunie ; 
Nor does hia envy leaa deaerve mine ttng;i>r. 
Which, though^ jiiicbiii my lot'i*,! would nutnounAhf 
Will slack the ardour tlmJ 1 hud to Bee him 
llc'tum ill safety. 

Fran, But il'^yottr entertainment 
Should give the loaiit ground to his jealousy. 
To raiae itp an opinion I am false. 
You then deatroy your mercy. Therefcre, madarn, 
(Thoujfh I ijball ever look on you as oa 
My life's preserver, and the mimcle 
Of human pity J would you but vouchsafe, 
tii comptiny, to do me thone fair ^racea. 
And ffivonra, which your innocence and honour 
BHy safely warrant, it would to the duke, 
I being to your beat aclf alone known jfutlty, 
Wake me appar moat innocent. 

Afarr. Have your wishes, 
And siomethinj^ I inuy do to try his temper. 
At leajit, to mukt} him know a constant wife 
Is not so slaved to her husband's doting humours, 
But :hat ahe ma^' di'serve to live « widow, 
Iter fate tippoinUni; it. 

Fran, It Im enough -, 
Kay, all 1 could desire, and will make way 
Tu my rt)Veii^i;, which shall dis(>rrse itself 
On him, on ht-r, aud all. [SA^uf andjioariah. 

Mare, What shout is tliat ? 

Enter TiBtnto and Stitfuajvo, 

Tib. AH happiness to the dutrhess. that may flow 
From the dukL*':* new and wished return ! 



Marc, lie's welcome. 

Stejth, How coldly she receive* it I 

Tib, Observe the onoounter. 

Ftouriah. Enter Sfokila, PrsrARs, 
MAniA}4A, GnAGcuo, and 



IsAKtlXA, 



Mart, Wluit joa have told me, Cineelko, is ke- 
And Vl\ find time to stir in'c. [lievvd. 

Grttc, Aa you we ctttoe ; 
I will not do ill offices. 

Sfor, I have stood 
Silent thus long^, Ihlarcelia, expecting' 
When, with more than a greedy haste. tboQ w<mld,-ft 
Have flown into my arms, and on my lips 
Have printed a deep welcome. My desires 
To glass myself in these fiiir eyes, hnve borue me 
With more than human apeed : nor durst 1 stay 
In any temple, or tn any saint 
To pay my vows and thanks for my return. 
Till I had seen thee. 

M*tfc. Sir, I am most happy 
To look upon you safe, and would expresa 
My to¥e and duty in a modest fashion. 
Such ai might suit with the behaviour 
Of one tljat knows herself a wife, ind bow 
To temper her desires, not like a w auton 
Fired witli hot appetite ; nor coii it wrong me 
To love discreetly. 

Sfor. How ! why, can there be 
A mean in your aSectioni to Sforca ! 
Or any act, tliough ne'er so looee, llint may 
Invite or heighten appetite, appe«r 
Immodest or uncomely ! Do not move me , 
My pasdions to you are in extremes, 
And know no bounds ;-'-€Ofne ; kisft mB, 

Mote I obey yon. 

Sjttr, By all the joys of love, she doe* salute mi» 
Aa if 1 were her grandfather * W IjjU w iich. 
With cursed spells, hath quencl/d the amtirouf Ucwt 
Thnt lived upon tlifse lips I Tell me, Marc«liu, 
And trulv tell me. is*t a fault of mine 
That hatfi hegot this coldness! or neg;lect 
Of others, in my absexioe! 

Marc. Xeither, sir : 
I stand indebted to your substitute. 
Noble and good Francisco, for his c«pe 
And Ikir obstrvauce of roe : there wus nothing 
With %vhich you, being preseuti could supply me, 
Th])t I dare sey I wanted. 

Sfiw, How 1 

Mil re. The pieasores 
That sacred Hymen wnnwits us, excepted. 
Of which, in troth, you are too great a doter ; 
And there is more of beast in it than num. 
Let us love temperfttely ; tiling violent lust twil. 
And too much dotage rather arguoa folly 
1 hnn true affect ion. 

firtic. ObseiTu but tliis. 
And how j*he praised my lord's care and obarrvanre , 
And tlien judge, madani, if my mtelligeuce 
Hdve any ground of tnith. 

Mtiri, No more ; 1 mark iL 

Steiih. How the duke standi*! 

Tib, As he were rooted tliere, 
And had no motion. 

Peit\ My lord, from whence 
Grows tliiis amazement i 

Sfor. It is more, dear my friend ; 
For 1 am doubtful whether I*ve a bem^ 



Scene I.] 



THE DUKK OF MILAN. 



79 



But certain that my life's a trartfaen to me. 
Take me back, ^ood Pescara, ahew me to C»Mr 
In all his rage and fury ; I disclaim 
His mercy : to lire now, which is his gift. 
Is worse than death and with all studied torments. 
Marcdia is unkind, nay, worse, nown cold 
In her affection ; my excess of fenrour, 
Which yet was never equall'd, grown distastefnL 
— But hare thy wishes, woman ; thou shalt know 
That I can be myself, and thus shake off 
The fetters of fond dotage. From my sight. 
Without reply ; for I am apt to do 
Something I may repents — [£xit Mare ] — Oh ! who 
would place 



His happiness in most accursed woman, 
In whom obsequiousness engenders pride ; 
And harshness deadly hatred ? — From this hour 
rU labour to forget there are such creatures ; 
True friends be now my mistresses. Clear your 

brows. 
And, though my heart-stringrs crack for*t, I will be 
To all a free example of delight : 
We will hare sports of all kinds, and propound 
Rewards to such as can produce us new : 
Unsatisfied, though we surfeit in their store. 
And nerer think of curs'd Marcelia more. lExwnt. 



ACT IV. 



SCEN£ L-^Tht sosm. A Roam m thg Castlt. 
Enter Frakosoo and Graocho. 

Fran. And is it possible thou shouldst fiorget 
A wrong of such a nature, and then study 
My safety and content? 

Grae. Sir, but allow me 
Only to hare read the elements of courtship*, 
Not the abstruse and hidden arts to thrire there ; 
And vou may please to g^rant me so much knowledge. 
That injuries from one m grace, like 3rou, 
Are noble favours. Is it not grown commonf 
In every sect, for those that want, to suffer 
From such as have to give ? Your captain cast, 
1 f poor, though not thought darine, but approved so. 
To raise a coward into name., that^ rich. 
Suffers disgraces publidj ', but recmvee 
iiewards for them in private. 

Fran, Well observed. 
Put on| ; well be familiar, and diseoorse 
A little of this argument That day. 
In which it waa first mmour'd, then confirm'd, 
Great Sforza thoueht me worthy of his favour, 
I found myself to be another thme ; 
Not what 1 waa before. I passed then 
For a pretty fellow, and of pretty parts too. 
And was perhaps received so ; but, once ndsed. 
The liberal courtier made me master of 
Those virtnes which I ne'er knew in myself: 
If I pretended to a jest, 'twas made one 
By ineir interpretation ; if I offer'd 
To reason of philosophy, though absurdly, 
They had helps to save me, and without a blush 
W onkl swear that I, by nature, had more know- 
ledge. 
Than others could require by any labour : 
Nay, all I did, indeed, which in another 
Was not remarkablf, in me shew*d rarely. 



• tht elemmta ^f conrtihip,] L e. of 

coart-polky. M. Mason. 

r Im U iMrf promm common, Ac] Graccbo ii an apt 

scholar : the*e oouMe utMcnratioos Are derived flrom the I«»- 
•OBS of tbo Officer, in the Utt ace. 

I Put OH ;] Se covered ; a freqnent exprcutun in theie 
pUyt. 



such 



Grac. But then they tasted of your bounty. 

Fran, True : 
They gave me those good parts I was not bom to. 
And, by my intercession, toey got that 
Which, had I cross'd them, they durst not have hoped , 
for. ! 

Grae. All this is oracle : and shall I, then, | 

For a foolish whipping, leave to honour him, i 

That holds the wheel of fortune ? no ; that savours ' 
Too much of the ancient freedom. Since great men , 
Receive disgraces and give thanks, poor knaves I 
Must have nor spleen, nor anger. Though I love 
My limbs as well as any man, if you had now 
A humour to kick me lame into an office, 
Where I might sit in state and undo others. 
Stood I not bound to kiss the foot that did it ? 
Though it seem strange, there have been 

things seen 
In the memory of man. 

Fran. But to the purpose, 
And then, that service done, make thine own for- 
tunes. 
My wife, thou say*st, is jealous I am too 
Familiar with the dutchess. 

Grac, And incensed 
For her commitment in her brother's absence : 
And by her mother's anger is spurr'd on 
To maJce discovery of it. This her purpose 
'Was trusted to my charge, which I declined 
As much as in me lay ; but, finding her 
Determinately bent to undertake it, 
Though breaking my faith to her may destroy 
My credit with your lordship, I yet thought. 
Though at my peril, I stood bound to reveal it. 

Fran. I thank thy care, and will deserve 
secret, 
In making thee acquainted with a greater, 
And of more moment. Come into my bosom. 
And take it from me: Canst thou think, 

Graccho, 
My power and honours were conferr'd upon me, 
And, add to them, this form, to hsve my pleasures 
Confined and limited ? I delight in change. 
And sweet variety ; that's my heaven on earth. 
For which I love life only. I confess. 



this 



dull 



ao 



THE DUKE OF MILAN, 



[Act it. 1 



Mf wife pleasH En« % day. tbe dutclies«, two^ 
if And yet I murit not say I bav« enjoy 'd lier,) 
But DOW I cftrfii for nvitijer : therpKife, Craccho, 
So far I am from stop pin |? Miimiia 
In making her complaiut, thut 1 Ueaire thee 
To urge her to it, 

Grac. That may prove your ruin : 
The dulce already bein^, an 'tis rejwrtedf 
Doubtful sbe hath play*d false. 

F> an. There thou art coaen*d ; 
Hia dotage, like an ng;ue., keeps bis coiir«fl» 
And DOW 'tts strongly on him. But 1 lui^e time, 
And thdreforit know, whelher tbou wilt or iio^ 
Tljou art to he my iDstrument; and« in spite 
Of the old »aw, tbat itaya. It is nut safe 
On any terms to truHt a man tbat's wrong'd, 
I dare thi^ to be falae. 

Grtic^ This is a long^ngo, 
My lord» I understand noL 

Fran, You thought, Birrah, 
To put a trick on me for the relatioti 
Of what I kuew before, and, baring won 
Some weighty secret from me, in rerange 
'I'o play tlie traitor. Know, thou wretched thing", 
By my command thoti wert whipt ; and every duy 
ril have thee freahly tortUTtnl, if thou misia 
In the lenst charge that I impose upon thee, 
Tlioiigh what I apeak, for the most |uirt, b true; 
Niky, ^jnut thou hadjit a thousand witneiij»ea 
To b* deposed they beard it, 'tis in me, 
With one wonl« aucb is Sforia s conhdcnce 
Of my fidelity not to be^ihaken, 
To make all void, and njin my accusers. 
Therefore look to*t ; bring my wife hotly on 
To Dccuiie me to the dukp— I have an <*nd in^ 
Or think mh«t \k nmkea man most miseniblw, 
And that shall fall upon thee. Tliou wert a fool 
To hopf , by bein^ actpiaintpd with my row Ties, 
1 o curb uud awe mt* j or that I should live 
Thy alave, as thou didst snucilv drviue: 
For pryinj? in ray rounaels, still livemine* [Eji(. 
Grae. I am caught ou both stdea. lliia 'tia for a 
puisine 
In policy's Proteun school, to tin' conclusioua 
With one tbat hath commenced, and gone out doctor*. 
If 1 discover whml but now he bmpg'd of, 
1 shkill not Ih* bptipvi>d : if I fall off 
Frcm him, hiii threat:* and actions go togethE>r, 
And thi^re'^ no liope of safety. Till I get 
A plummet that may sound his di^npeat cnunselsi 
I must obey and serve him ; Want of skill 
Now makes me pluy the rogue agitinat my wtU. 

[KtH. 

SCENE 11. — Atiother Room in the same. 

Eater Mabcelia, Tr&ERto, SiiipaAvo, and 

GendewouLan. 

Marc, Command me from bis sightj and with aucb 
acorn 
Aa he would rata his slare ! 



• -^^^ fAfry coiidlri<^ions 

With tmr ihnt hoik cum r<< ncH, ami gotie ovi doctor.'] 
To try Ctmi'lu9iim§, » ¥^ry cinnmoti ci:pre!«*inii. In, it> \ry 
CTprrnitriiti : " IhkI hcliji Ihrm,*' jfl)f Gi4l)Hr1l Har'vey, in \\ls 
Hunt U'Uetj "Ih*! hNiVr nfiUier hthJIBiv t*> Ivplpc, m*r wit in 
Eihliitthrnijiehr)*, but will nviny^ try ctmcltmmu bilwrirn thtir 
ke*n*?i •ihI tlie nv%t Wi*lK " (-omiM^ncfd^ tLw\ gmWfmt.v^hUh 
nccnr Id iht Mr«U line, are I'ttiverAiiy terma, adiI lo be met 
iritb ia tmotx of out dkl tlnuuai : 



TiL 'Twaa in His fury, 
Stiph. And he repenta it, madam. 
Marc, Wa* 1 bam 
To observe hia humourg ! or, becwue* lie i!ote«, 
iVIiist I run mad ? 

TiA, If that your excellence 
Wo old pli»ase but to receive b feeling kiiow1ed{9 
Of what he sQ^nrd, and how deep die least 
Unktndneiis wounda from you, you wiMiId exeoie 
His haaty language. 

Stejitk. He bath paid the forfeit 
Of bia offence, Vm sure, with !<ucli a aorrow. 
As, if it bad beea greater, would deserve 
A full remiiisiou. 

Marc. W by, perlta|ka, be Itath it ; 
And I stand more aMicted for bis abaenet. 
Then be can be for mine ; — so, pnij yoa^ tcU him. 
But, till 1 have digested aome md tbougbla. 
And recoocited tiasMiona that are at war 
W ithin myself, 1 pitqioae to be privatt*. 
And have you care, unless it be Fmncisco, 
Tbat no man he admitted. [Ejit Gentkwommi* 

Tib. How, Franrisco! 

Sieph, He, tliut at every atage keep« lirery nit' 
The iftallion of tbe slate I [irvasM; 

Tih, They are thintips above aa. 
And »o no way conciTn ua. 

Stepk. If I were 
The duke, (I freely rauft confeas my wedmeas^) 

Enter FaA>cisco. 
I should wear yellow breach ?»•. Here be cornea, 

Tib, Nay, spare your labour, lady, we kjiow our 
And quit tlie room. [dutyf, 

StqJt, in this her privacy ! 
Though with the hnzurd of a check, perliapa^ 
This may goto the duke, 

[ F^eunt Tiberh and Stt|iA«Mb] 
Marc. Your face b full 
Of fears and doubts : the reason T 

Fran, O best madam, 
They are not counterfeit, T» your poor convert. 
That only wiah to live in sLtd repcmtance. 
To mourn my desperate attempt of you, 
Ibat have no endii nor aims, but that your goodness 
Might be a witness of mv {wnitence. 
Which seen, would tench you how to love your mercy, 
Am rohb'd of thai hist bnpp* The duke, the duke, 
I more than fear, hatli found that I am g-iiilty. 

Mfirc. By my unspotte^l honour, not from ma; 
Nor have f with him chnnged one avlkble. 
Since his return, but wbal jou beard. 

Fran, \et malice 
Is ea|^le-eyed, and would see tliat which is not ; 
And jealousy *a too apt to build upon 
Unsure foundations. 
Mure, Jeelou-iV ! 
Fran, [Asuie.jh tok- s. 



** How mmny tlivt tmvt dom- ill, "od prae^edt 
Wiittien lh«t fo*«r rfryrw* ia WttnlnoriM*, 
Commemx, and n*c tit nirlimmti **t Imm." ftc 

Thr t/um^ tif r*rfe»ML 

• i nhould mrar vi-llt>w Ar»rcfrp».J i.e. H«jch1iiii ; yrllow* 

wHb CKUf oM pot'L»,'lK-lit|$ Itte ti4cr> of Jcaluu^^ : ibi* iwcdt 

DO «ft««Mpk. 

t S^iiff, tpttrt }fimr labovr, lativ-, fcr hnent ottr doty, 
And quit thf rnmn.] IJutp was b^M'rieil trji Cu^ 
thiit, »r a word of ^Imirir imp^vrl, haviiti; brcn tit^^^ i 
^T*u. Both the quArio# tiAVc. for ktwtt nur nU, miki 
ditli'rrncc, that the tut ( ie3tl> eabtl>iucjr<f,u Iter*, ia i 
clitTicien. 



i ScEKB in.] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



I 



81 



Mare. Who dkres but only think I can be tainted ? 
But for him, though almost on certain prool^ 
To give it hearing, not belief, deaerrea 
My liate for erer. 

Fran. Whetlier grounded on 
Your noble, yet chaste farours shewn unto me ; 
Or her imprisonment, for her contempt 
To you, by my command, my frantic wife 
Hath put It in his head. 

3fare. Have I then lired 
So long, now to be doubled ? Are my favours 
The themes of her discourse ? or what I do. 
That never trod in a suspected path, 
Subject to base construction ? He undaunted ; 
For now, as of a creature that is mme, 
1 riae up your protectress : all the grace 
I hitherto have done youj was bestow*d 
With a shut hand ; it shall be now more free. 
Open, and liberal. But let it not. 
Though counterfeited to the life, teach yon 
To nourish saucy hopes. 

Fran. May I be blasted. 
When I prove such a monster ! 

Mare. I will stand then 
Between you and all danger. He shall know. 
Suspicion otrertums what confidence builds ; 
And be that dares but doubt when there's no ground, 
Is neither to himself nor others sound. [Exit, 

Fran. So, let it work ! Her goodness, that denied 
My service, branded with the name of lust, 
SImU now destroy itself; and she shall find, ^ 
When he's a suitor, that brings cunning arm*d 
With power, to be his advocates, the denial • 
la a disease as killing as the plague. 
And chastity a clue that leads to death. 
Hold but thy nature, duke, and be but rash 
And violent enough, and then at leisure, 
Repent ; I care not. 

And let my plots produce this long'd-for birth. 
In my revenge I have my heaven on earth. [Exit. 



SCENE Ul.—Another Room m Oie tame. 
Emier Sforza, PfscARA, and three Gentlemen. 

Peie. Yon promised to be merry. 

1 Gent There are pleasures. 
And of all kinds, to entertain the time. 

9 CenL Your excellence vouchsafing to make 
Of that which best affects you. [choice 

S/'or. Hold your prating. 
Lcsrn manners too ; your are mde. 

3 Gent. 1 have my answer. 
Before I ask the question. [Aside. 

Pete. I must borrow 
The privilege of a fnend, and will ; or else 
I am like tEsae. a servant, or, what's worse, 
A parasite to the sorrow Sforza worships 
In spite of reason. 

»yor. Pray you, use your freedom ; 
And ao ftr, if you please, allow me mine. 
To hear yon only ; not to be eompell'd 
To take your moral potions. I am a man. 
And, though philoet^hy, your mistress, rage for't. 
Now I have cause to grieve, I must be sad ; 
And I dare shew it. 

Peee, Would it were bestow'd 
Upon a worthier rabject 



Sfor. Take heed, fnend! 
You rub a sore, whose pain will make me mad ; 
And I shall then forget myself and you. 
Lance it no further. 

Pefc. Have you stood the shock 
Of thousand enemies, and outfaced the anger 
Of a great emperor, that vow'd your ruin. 
Though by a desperate, a glorious way. 
That had no precedent ? are you return d with honour, 
Loved by your subjects ? does your fortune court 

you, 
Or rather say, your courage does command it ? 
Have you given proof, to this hour of your life, 
Prosperity, that searches the best temper, 
Could never puff you op, nor adverse fate 
Deject your valour ? Shall, I say, these virtues, 
So many and so various trials of 
Your constant mind, be buried in the frown 
(To please you, I will say so) of a fiiir woman; 
Yet I have seen her equals. 

Sfor. Good Pescara, 
This language in another were profane ; 
In you it is unmannerly. — Her equal ! 
I tell you as. a friend, and tell you plainly, 
(To all men else my sword should make reply,) 
Her goodness does disdain comparison, 
And, but herself, admits no parallel*. 
But you will say she's cross ; 'tis fit she should be. 
When I am foolish ; for she's wise, Pescara, 
And knows how far she may dispose her bounties. 
Her honour safe ; or, if she were adverse, 
'Twas a prevention of a greater sin 
Ready to fall upon me ; for she's not ignorant. 
But truly understands how much I love her, 
And that her rare parts do deserve all honour. 
Her excellence increasing with her years too, 
I might have fallen into idolatry. 
And, from the admiration of her worth. 
Been taught to think there is uo Power above her ; 
And yet 1 do believe, had angels sexes. 
The most would be such women, and assume 
No otJier shape, when they were to appear 
In their full glory. 

Pesc, Well, sir, I'll not cross you, 
Nor labour to diminish your esteem, 
Hereafter, of her. Since your happiness, 

* Hergoodnen doe$ di$dain comparuont 
And, but herself, admiu uo parallel.] The reader who 
has any acqnaiiitiince with the literary nqnabbles ot the last 
c( nttiry, cannot but recollect how Theobald was annoyed by 
the Je»i8 levelled at him for this line in the Double Faite- 
hood: 

" None bnt himself can be his parallel." 

He jnfttifled It, indeed, at »ome length ; bnt ** it is not for 
gravity," as Sir Toby well observes, " to friay at cherry-pit 
witli Satan ;" his waggish antagonists drove him ont of his 
patience, and he, who had every thing bat wit on his ride, 
is at this moment Inbonring nnder the conscqnences of hi^ 
imagined defeat. With re'pect to the phrase iu qncstiou, it 
Is f iifficiently common ; and I conld produce, if it were ne 
cessary, twenty instances of it from Massinger's contempo- 
raries alone : nor is it peculiar to this country, but eshm in 
every language with which I am acquainted. Even i^hile 1 
am writing this note, the following pretty ex:mipr<; lies 
before me, in the address of a grateftal Hindoo to Sir William 
Jones : 

" To yon there are many like me ; yet to me there iatwne 
like you, but yoweelf; there are nnmerons groves of night 
flowers; yet the night flower sees nothing like themoon,but 
the moon. A hundred chiefs rale th« world, bat thou art an 
ocean, and they are mere wells ; many luminaries are awake 
in the sky, but which of them can be compared to Uie sunt" 
See Memoirt of hie ttfe, by Lord Teignmouth. 

G 



8« 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



[Act IY. 



As you will have it, has alone dependence 
Upon her favour, from my soul I wish you 
A fair atonement*. 

Sj'or, Time, and my suhmisaion, 

Enter Tiberiu and Siepuano. 

May work her to it. — O ! you are well retum'd ; 
Say, am I blest ? hath she vouchsafed to hear you? 
Is there hope left that she may be appeased 1 
I^t her propound, and gladly 1*11 subscribe 
To her conditions. 

Tib, She, sir, yet is fro ward. 
And desires respite, and some privacy. 

Steith She was harsh at first ; but ere we parted, 
Implacable. [seem*d not 

SJ'or, There's comfort yet : I'll ply her 
Each hour with new ambassadors of more honours. 
Titles, and eminence : my second self, 
Francisco, shall solicit her. 

Steph, That a wise man. 
And what is more, a prince that may command. 
Should sue thus poorly, and treat with his wife, 
As she were a victorious enemy. 
At whose proud feet, himself, bis state, and country, 
Basely begg*d mercy ! 

Sfor. What is that you mutter? 
1*11 have thy thoughts. 

Sttph, Vou shall. You are too fond. 
And feed a pride tliat's swollen too big already. 
And surfeits with observance. 

Sfor, O my patience ! 
My vassal speak thus ? 

Steph, Let my head answer it, 
I If I offend. She, that you think a saint, 
I fear, may play the devil. 

Peic, Well said, old fellow. 

Steph, And he that hath so long 'engross'd your 
favours. 
Though to be named with reverence lord Francisco, 
Who, as you purpose, shall solicit for you, 
I think's too near her. 

Pesc. Hold, sir ! this is madness. 

Steph, It may be they confer of joining lordships ; 
I'm sure he's private with her. 

Sfor. Let me go, 
I scorn to touch him ; he deserves my pity. 
And not my anger. Dotard ! and to be one 
Is thy protection, else thou durst not think 
That love to my Marcelia hath left room 
j In my full heart for any jealous thought : — 
That idle passion dwell with thick-skinn'd trades- 
men f. 
The undeserving lord, or the unable ! 
Lock up thy own wife, fool, that must take physic 
From her young doctor, physio upon her back I, 
Because tliou hast the palsy in that part* 
That makes her active. 1 could smile to think 
What wretched things they are that dare be jealous: 
Were I match 'd to another Messaline, 
While 1 found merit in myself to please her, 



* A faXr «tonrmrnt.] i. e. as Mr. M. Maoon obier\'e», « 
rer«>nrUintion. To ntone'^tM often tbu seuie la. our oWl 
writcru : «•» Sh;(ktipviir«! : 

** lie and AndtliiiM can nn moro atone, 

ThJin violcn^ent conlrarictlrp." CnriohnHS. 

f That idle ftamon dwell tcith thick-»k\nn*d tradetmm ] 
Thick'tkXnnW is the rrN(lin«; of b«>th tlicqiiartoy; the m<Mlern 
editrtrs wantonly, and, I may a<ld, ignoranlly, di*ptac«<l it 
for ihiek'fknWA. It in not to a want uf anfierttanding, but 
to a Unntneu of feeling, that the speaker aUudea. 



In this your studied purpote to demrnre her ; 
And all the shot made by your foiu detraetioo. 
Falling upon her sare-mrm d innocenoe, 
I shoiUd believe her chaste, and would not 
To find out my own torment ; but, alas ! 
Enjoying one that, but lo me, 'e a Dian *, 
I am too secure. 

Tib, This is a coofideoee 
Beyond example. 



Enter Graocho, Isabella, and Mariasca. 

Grae, There he is — now apeak, 
Or be for ever silent. 

SfofT, If you come 
To bring me comfort, say that yoa have made 
My peace with my Marcelia. 

lub, I had rather 
Wait on you to your faneFaU 

SfoT, I ou are my mother ; 
Or, by her life, yon were dead else. 

Jtfari. Would you were, i 

To your dishonour ! and, sinoe dotage makea yoa i 
Wilfully blind, borrow of me my eyes, I 

Or some part of my spirit. Are you all flesh ? ' 

A lump of patience only ? no fire in yon ? 
But do your pleasure :--here your mother was 
Committed by your servant, (for I scorn 
To call him husband,) and myself, your siater, 
If that you dare remember such a name, 
Mew'd up, to make the way open and fiiM 
For the adultress, I am imwilbng 
To say, a part of Sforza. 

Sfor. Take her head off! 
She hath blasphemed ! and by our law must die 

Itah, Blasphemed! for calling ofawboire,awlioi«? 

Sfor, O hell, what do 1 suffer ! 

Man, Or is it treason 
For me, that am a subject, to endeavour** 
To save the honour of the duke, and that 
He ahould not be a wittol on record 1 
For by posterity 'twill be believed. 
As certainly as now it can be proved, 
Francisco, the great minion that swaya all. 
To meet the chaste embraces of the dutchesSt 
Hath leap*d into her bed. 

Sfor, some proof, vile creature! 
Or thou hast spoke thy last. 

Afari. The public fame, 
Their hourly private meetings ; end e'en now. 
When, under a pretence of grief or anger. 
You are denied the joys due to a busbsm^. 
And made a stranger to her, at all timea 
The door stands open to him. To a Dutcliinan» 
This were enough, but to a right Italian^ 
A hundred thousand witnesses. 

Idab, Would yuu have us 

To be her bawds? 

Sfor, O the malice 
And envy of base women, that, with horror. 
Knowing their own defects and inward guilt. 
Dare lie, and swear, and damn, for what's moat 6lse, 
To cast aspersions upon one untainted ! 
Ve are in your nature's devils, and your eoda. 
Knowing your reputations sunk for ever. 
And not to be rccover'd, to have all 
Wear your black livery. Wretches ; you have 
A mouimiental trophy to her pureneas. 



• thai, hut tame,*ea Diaa,] A < 

tion of Diana. M. Mason. Aad so It is I 



i; FceneIII.] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



BS 



I Rvtums upon yoarselres ; and, if my love 
Could suffer an addition, I'm ao fiur ' 

> From ^ving credit to jon, this woold teach me 
More to admire and serre her. You are not worthy 

' To fall as sacrifices to appease her ; 

! And therefore live till your own envy burst you. 

1 Isab. All is in vain ', he is not to be moved. 
Man. She has bewitch'd him. 
Pesr. Tis so past belief. 
To me it shews a fable. 

Enter Fraxcisco, spesAii^ to a Servant within. 

Fran. On thy life. 
Provide my horses, and without the port 
With care attend me. 

Serv, [wiihinJ] 1 shall, my lord. 

Grac. He's come. 
What gimcrack have we next • ? 

Fran, Great sir. 

Sjor. Francisco, 
Though all the joys in women are fled from me. 
In thee I do embrace the full delight 
That I can hope from man. 

Fran. I would impart. 
Please you to lend your ear, a weighty secret, 
I am in labour to deliver to you. 

Sfor, All leave the room. Excuse me, good Pescara, 
£re long I will wait on you. 

Pe$e. You speak, sir. 
The language I should use., 

Sfor. Be within call. 
Perhaps we may have use of you. 

Tib. We sbiU sir. 

lExeunt all but Sforta and Francitco. 

Sfor. Say on, my comfort. 

Fran. Comfort ! no, your torment. 
For 90 my fate appoints me. I could curse 
The hour that gave me being. 

Sfor. What new monsters 
Of misery stand ready to devour me T 
Let them at once dispatch me. 

Fran. Draw your sword then. 
And, as you wish your own peace, quickly kill me ; 
Consider not, but do it. 

Sfor. Art thou mad ? 

Fran. Or, if to take my life be too much mercy. 
As death, indeed, concluaes all human sorrows. 
Cat off my nose and ears ; pull out an eye. 
The other only left to lend me light 
To see my own deformities. Why was I bom 
Without some mulct imposed on me by nature ? 
Would from my youth a loathsome leprosy 
Had run upon this face, or that my breath 
Had been infectious, and so made me shunn*d 
Of all societies ! curs'd be he that taught me 
Discourse or manners, or lent any grace 
lliat makes the owner pleasing in the eye 
Of wanton women ! since those parts, which others 
Value as blesi^inga, are to me afflictions. 
Such mv condition is. 



* ff^at gimcrack have we nertf] It may be that Coxeter 
has hit apoD the right worti ; trot the ant syllable is omitted 
in ttie old copies ; probalHy It was of an olfcnsive tendency. 
Besides the terror of the law that hong; over the poet's head 
alK>at tbb time, the Master of the Revt-ls Icept a scratinising 
eye upon every passage of an indecent indecent for the 
times; or profane tendency. It is Massinger's pecoliar praise, 
that be is altogether firec Itom the htter. 



Sfor, 1 am on the rack : 
Dissolve this doubtful riddle*. 

Fran. That I alone. 
Of all mankind, tluit stand most bound to love you, 
And study your content, should be appointed. 
Not by my will, but forc^ by cruel tate. 
To be your g^reatest enemy ! —not to hold you 
In this amazement longer, in a word. 
Your dutchess loves me. 

5^ar. Loves thee ? 

Fran. Is road for me. 
Pursues me hourly. 

Sfor. Oh ! 

r'ran. And from hence g^w 
Her late neglect of you. 

Sfor, O women ! women ! 

Fran. 1 laboured to divert her by persuasion. 
Then urged your much love to her, and the danger ; 
Denied her, and with scorn. 

Sfor, 'Twas like thvself. 

Fran. But when I saw her smile, then heard her 
Bay, 
Your love and extreme dotage as a cloak. 
Should cover our embraces, and your power 
Fright others from suspicion ; and all favours 
That should preserve her in her innocence. 
By lust inverted to be used as bawds ; 
I could not but in duty (though I know 
That the relation kills in you all hope 
Of peace hereafter, and in me 'twill shew 
Both base and poor to rise up her accuser) 
Freely discover it. 

Sfor, Eternal plagues 
Pursue and overtake her ! for her sake, 
To all posterity may he prove a cuckold. 
And, like to me, a thing so miserable 
As words may not express him, that gives trust 
To all deceiving women ! Or, since it is 
The will of heaven, to preserve mankind, 
lliat we must know and couple with these serpents, 
No wise man ever, taught by my example. 
Hereafter use his wife with more respect 
Than he would do bis horse that does him service -, 
Base woman being in her creation made 
A slave to man. But, like a village nurse, 
Stand I now cursing and considering, when 
The tamest fool would do ! — Within there ! Stephano, 

Tiberio, and the rest. 1 will be sudden, 

And she shall know and feel, love in extremes 
Abused, knows no degree in hatef. 

Enter Tiberio and Stepiiano. 

Tib. My lord. 

Sfor, Go to the chamber of that wicked woman — 

Stephf What wicked woman, sir? 

Sfor. The devil, my wife. 
Force a rude entry, and, if she refuse 
To follow you, drag her hither by the hair, 
And know no pity ; any gentle usage 
To her will call on cruelty from me. 
To such as show it. — Stand you staring ! Go, 
And put my will in act. 

* Diaeolve this doabtful riddle.] Oar old writers used 
dluolve and eolve indiscriminately '."or, if they made any 
dilterence, it was in favoor of the former : 

" he Is pointed at 

For the fine coartier, the woman's roan. 
That tells my lady stories, ditaolve* riddles." 

The Quern qf Corinth. 
f — — no degree in hate.] For no degree in hait, the 
modern editors very incorrectly read, no decree of hate. 

G « 



84 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



[Act V. 



S*eph, There's no disputing. 

TiL But 'tis a tempest on the sudden raised, 
Who durst hare dreom'd of? 
I r^'^^' Tiberio and Stepkano, 

Sfar. Nay, since she dares damnation, 
I'll be a fury to her. 

Fran, Yet, gjeot sir, 
Exceed not in your fury j she's yet guilty 
Only in her intent. 

Sf'or, Intent, Francisco ! 
i It does include all fact ; and I might sooner 
He won to pardon treason lo my crown. 
Or one that kill'd my father. 

Fran, You are wise. 
And know what's best to do : — ^yet, if you please, 
To prove her temper to the height, say only 
That I am dead, and then observe how &r 
She'll be transported. I'll remove a little. 
Hut be within your call. Now to the upshot? 
Ilowe'er I'll shift for one. [Exit. 

I Be-enter Tibesio, Stephano, and Guard with Mar- 

CELLA. 

Marc, Where is this monster, 
I'his walking tree of jealousy, this dreamer, 
This horned beast tliat would be? Oh! are you here. 
Is it by your commandment or allowance, [sir, 

1 am thus basely used ? Which of my virtues. 
My labours, services, and cares to please you. 
For. to a man suspicious and unthankful. 
Without a blush I may be mine own trumpet. 
Invites this barbarous course? dare you look on me 
Without a seal of shame? 

Sfor, Impudence, 
How ugly thou appear 'st now ! thy intent 
To be a whore, leaves thee not blood enough 
To make an honest blush ; what had the act done? 

Marc. Return 'd thee the dishonour thou deservest, 
Ihough willingly I had ^iven up myself 
To every common letcher. 

Sf'or, Your chief minion, 
Your chosen favourite, your woo'd Francisco, 
Has dearly paid for't ; for, wretch ! know, he's dead, 
A nd by my hand. 

Marc, The bloodier villain thou ! 
But 'tis not to be wondered at, thy love 
Does know no otlier object : — thou hast kill'd then, 
A man I do profess I loved ; a man 



For whom a thousand queens might well be rivals. 
But he, I speak it to thy teetli, tiiat dares be 
A jealous fool, dares be a murderer. 
And knows no end in mischief. 

Sfar. 1 begin now 
In this my iustice. [Siab$ her. 

Marc. Oh ! I have fool'd myself 
Into my grave, and only grieve for that 
Which, when you know youVe slain an iiiDOoent, 
You needs must suffer. 

Sfor, An innocent ! Let one 
Call in Francisco, for he lives, vile creature, 

[£nl Stephana. 
To justify thy falsehood, and how often. 
With whorisn flatteries thou liast tempted him ; 
I being only fit to live a stale, 
A bawd and property to your wantonness. 

Re-enter Siepuano. 

Steph, Signior Francisco, sir, but even now. 
Took horse without ihe porta. 

Marc, We are botli abused, 
And both by him undone. Stay, death, a little. 
Till I have clear'd me to my lord, and then* 
I willingly obey thee. O my Sforza ! 
Francisco was not tempted, but the tpinpter ; 
And, as he thought to win me, shew*d toe warrant 
That you sign'd for my death. 

Sj'or, Then I believe thee ; 
Believe thee innocent too. 

Marc, But, being contemn 'd, 
U]>on his knees wi(h tears he did beseech me. 
Not to reveal it ; I, soft-hearted fool. 
Judging his penitence true, was won unto it : 
Indeed, tlie unkindness to he sentenced by yon, 
Hefore that I wns guilty in a thought, 
Mnde me put on a seeming angt-r towards yon, ' 
And now — behold tlie issue. As 1 do. 
May heaven forgive you ! [Dio. 

Tib. Her sweet soul has left 
Her beauteous prison. 

Steph, Look to the duke ; he stands 
As if he wanted motion. 

Tib. Grief hath stopp'd 
The orgiin of his s]>eech. 

Steph. Take up this body, 
And call for his physicians. 

Sfor, O my heart-strings ! [£m«t 



ACT V. 



SCENE I^ — The Milanese. A Room in Eugenia's 
Houte, 

Enter Francisco and Evof.ni a in male attire, 

Fran, Why, couldst thou think, Eugenia that 
rewarcis, 
j Graces, or favours, though strew'd thick upon me, 
' Could ever bribe me to forget mine honour ? 
Or that I tamely would sit down, before 
I had dried tliese eyes still wet with showers of tears. 
By the fire of my revenge ? look up, my dearest ! 
For that proud lair, that, thief-like, stepi»'d between 
I'hy promised hopes, and robb'd thee of a fortune 



Almost in thy possession, hath found,^ 

With horrid proof, his love, she tliought lier glory. 

And an assurance of all happiness. 

But hastened her sad ruin. 

Eug. Do not flatter 
A fi:rief that is beneath it ; for. however 
The credulous duke to me proved false and cniel. 
It is impossible he could be wrought 

* JW I have clear'd me to mp l&nl,and then] Tkblsihr 
rrading of the fini qoiirtn : the wrund, which b thai MIowmI 
by ih« modern edi.ori, gives Ihe line ia ihis •■■ircrkirf 
manner: 

TUt / havf ctetar'd mynrlf onto mtg tord^mmd tkmi 



?=CKNK I.] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



H5 



To look on ber, but witb the eyes of dotage, 
And so to tenre ber. 

Fran. 8ucb, indeed, I grant, 
The tttreem of bis sffection was, and ran 
A constant courae, tiJl I, witb cunning malice. 
And yet I wrong my act, for it was justice. 
Made it turn backward ; and bate, in extremes, — 
(-Ix>Te banisb*d from bis beart,) to fill the room : 
In a word, know tbe fair Marcelia*s dead*. 

Eti^. Dead! [you? 

From, And by Sforza's band. Does it not move 
How coldly Tou receive it ! I expected 
Tbe mere relation of so great a blessing, 
Bom proudly on tbe wings of sweet revenge. 
Would bave call'd on a sacrifice of tbanks, 
And joy not to be bounded or conoeal*d« 
Yoa entertain it witb a look, as if 
Yoa wisb'd it were undone. 

Eug. Indeed I do : 
For, if my sorrows could receive addition. 
Her sad nte would increase, not lessen tbem. 
Sbe never injured me, but entertain'd 
A fortune bumblv offer'd to ber band, 
Wbicb a wise faidv gladly would bave kneel'd for. 
Unless yon would impute it as a crime, 
Sbe was more iair tban I, and bad discretion 
Not to deliver up ber virgin fort, [teara, 

Tbo>ttgb strait besieged witb flatteries, vows, and 
Until the churob bad made it safe and lawful. 
And bad I been tbe mistress of ber judgment 
And constant temper, skilful in tbe knowledge 
Of man's malicious ^sebood, I bad never. 
Upon bis bell-deep oatbs to marry me, 
Given up mv hdr name, and my maiden bononr, 
To bis foul lust ; nor lived now, being branded 
In tbe forebead for bis wbore, tbe scorn and sbame 
Of all good women. 

Fran. Have you tben no gall. 
Anger, or spleen, familiar to your sex 1 
Or is it possible tbat you could see 
Another to possess what was your due. 
And not grow pale witb envy ? 

Eug, Yes, of him 
Tbmt did deceive me. There's no passion, tbat 
A maid so injured ever could partaxe of. 
But 1 bave dearlv sufier'd. These three yean. 
In my desire ana kbour of revenue, 
I'mstad to you, I bave endured uie throes 
Of teeming women ; and will baxard all 
Fate can inflict on me, but I will reach 
Thy heart, fiilse Sforsa ! You have trifled witb me, 
Anid not proceeded with that fiery seal 
1 look'd for from a brother of your spirit. 
Sorrow forsake me, and all signs of grief 
Farewell for ever. Vengeance, arm^d witb fury. 
Possess me wholly now! 

Frmm. IIm reason, sister. 
Of ibis strange metamorphosis ? 

Emg, Ask thy feara : 
Thy base, unmanlv fean, thv poor delays. 
Thy dull forffetfuineas equal with death ; 
My wroofl', else, and the scandal which can never 
Be waah'd oflT from our house, but in bis blood. 
Would have stirr'd up a cowud to a deed 
In which, though he bad fallen, tbe brave intent 
Had crown'd itself with a fair monument 



• /» a ward, kmtw tkejmir MoreeUa'a dead.] Cos«ier mid 
Mr. M. Mmmu emit Uw anicic, wUcH ailcdy dciiruya iIm 
rhjchmofthcliM. 



Of noble resolution. In this sliapo 

I hope to get access ; and, then, with shame. 

Hearing my sudden execution, judge 

What honour thou hast lost, in being transcended 

By a weak woman. 

Fran. Still mine own, and dearer ! 
And yet in this you but pour oil on fire. 
And offer your assistance where it needs not. 
And, that you may perceive I lay not fallow. 
But bad your wrongs stamp'd deeply on my heart 
By the iron pen of vengeance, 1 attempted. 
By whoring ber, to cuckold him : tbat failing, 
I did begin bis tragedy in her death. 
To which it served as prologue, and will make 
A memorable story of your fortunes 
In my assured revenge : Only best sister. 
Let us not lose ourselves in tbe performance. 
By your rash undertaking ; we will be 
As sudden as you could wisib. 

Eug. Upon those terms 
I 3rield myself and cause, to be disposed of 
As you think fit. 

Enttr a Servant. 

Fran. Thy purpose ? 

Serv. There s one Graccho, 
That followed you, it seems, upon the track, 
Since you left Milan, that's importunate 
To have access, and will not be denied ; 
His haste, he says, concerns you. 

Fran. Bring nim to me. [ Rrit Servant, 

Tliougb he hath laid an ambush for my life. 
Or apprehension, yet I will prevent him. 
And work mine own ends out. 

Enter Graccho. 

Grac, Now for m^ whipping ! 
And if I now outstrip him not, and catch him, 
And by a new and strange way too, hereafter 
I'll swear there are worms in my brains. [Ande, 

Fran. Now, my good Graccho ; 
We meet as 'twere by miracle. 

Grac. Love, and duty. 
And vigilance in me for my lord's safety. 
First taught me to imagine you were here. 
And then to follow you. All's come forth, my lord, 
Tbat you could wish conceal'd. The dutcbess' 

wound, 
In the duke's rage put home, yet gnve ber leave 
To acquaint him with your practices, which your 
Did easily roofinn. ["ight 

Fran, This I expected : 
But sure you come provided of good counsel, 
To help in my extremes 

Grac, I would not hurt you. [death ; 

Fran, How ! hurt me ? such another word's thy 
Why, dar'st thou think it can fidl in thy will. 
To outlive what I determine ? 

Grac. How he awes me I [Aside. 

Fran. Be brief; what brought thee hither ? 

Grac. Care to inform you 
You are a condemn'd man, puraued and sought for. 
And your bead rated at ten thousand ducaU 
To bmi tbat brings iL 

Fran, Very good. 

Grac. All passages 
Are intercepted, and choice troops of horse 
Scour o'er tbe neighbour plains ; your picture sent 
To every state confederate with Milan : 
That, though I grieve to speak it, in my judgment. 



So iljiclr your dunj^rt iii«t, uid rtm upon you, 
It la iruposaibte yoti fthould escape 
Their curious search. 

Kug. Wliy, let us tlipn turn Roniani, 
And, falling hy our own liand.4, iiiock their thiemU, 
And dreadful prepnmtiofift. 

Fran. "Twould fihow oobly ; 
rtut that t}w honour of our full reTon^ 
\\>re ]out in tlie rash action. No, I^ugenia, 
Grat'cho is wise, niy fnt^iid loo, noi my serTiuit^ 
And 1 dare tru<3t hira witli my latest secret. 
We wouhl, fljid thmu must help us lo perform it, 
First kill the duke — then, fall what can upon ua I 
For injuries nri' writ in brass, Vintl Ciracchc*, 
And not To he forjjejttmi. 

i'trac. He instructs me [Aaide, 

What J. should do. 

Fran, \V hut's that ? 

Grac, I labour v%ith 
A 54trong desire to iiNSt>it \0M with my ser^Mce ; 
And DOW I am deliverVJ oft. 

Fran. I told you, 
Spf'uk, mv oraculou^ Graccho. 

Grac. I havt* heard, sir, 
Of men m debt that, lay'd lor by their creditors, 
In all such places w here it could b^ thoucdit 
Thin' would take shelter, cho^*. for sajictuan% 
TJieir lodt^ngs undemeath their cruditoru* uosefi. 
Or near that prison to whicli they were desig:n'd^ 
If ajiprehendi d ; confident that tJier© 
I'hey nev*?r should b« sought for. 

Fuf^, 'Tis a strange one ! 

Fran, hut what infer you from it? 

Crac. This, my lord i 
That, since all ways of your escnpe nre atojipM, 
hi *^lilan only, or, what's more, in the court, 
Whither it is preiiumHl yon dare not come, 
CoiJCeard in ftome disguise, you m«y live safe. 

Frtin, And not to be dijscover'd I 

Grac, Hut bv myself. [Gracc!io. 

Fnin, Uy thee I Alas 1 I Vuow thee honest 
And 1 will |iut thy couriHel into act, 
And Jiuddenly. \'et^ not to be iinjjfmteful 
Fnr all tliy loving travail to preserve me, 
Whiit bloody end soe'er my stiir* iippoint, [there ? 
Thou shult ibe wife, good Gractho, — Wlio's wjihio 

Grac. In the devil's name, what iiitana ho* ! 
Enter Servants. 

Frfffi, Take my friend 
Into your custody, aacJ bind him fast j 
I would not part with him. 

Gntr. Mv gowl loi*d, 

F'pflit. Disjialch : 
Tis for your pood, to keep yon honest. Gracclio: 
I would Mot have ten thousand ducats tempt you, 
Bemg of a soft and wax-lik« disposition. 
To [»biy the tnutor -, nyr a foolish itt^li 
To be revenged for your lute excel lent whipping. 
Give yoti the opjjtortunity to differ 
ftly head for sutiAfuction. Why, tliou fool f 
1 unii look tJjrough nud through thee ; thy intenta 
Appear to me as written in thy forehetid 
In plaia and eii»y elkartictera : and but that 



• Grac* In thr dt-viPM tu/mr, itftat mfom he .'] Th* tcond 
diiiirh* mnh* lltr ndjnr^liwti and UJJicly rr^tb,- u<Aa/ tntiittM 
kef The Ucctiincr, Ui niauy cawts, fcems to luvt m ted <*- 
prLtivniily ; hrrc. «i Hrll «* hi wvefftl ruber clicr i, he li»a 
«ir^iii»ta 4t » KM«f and ftAnllowrd a caaHl. Tbe «xpr4:»sbii 
ti4s already uccurred in the CnHaiurat Combai. 



I scorn a slave's boas blood should mat that awotd 
That from a prince expects a scarlet die. 
Thou now wert dend ^ but live, only to pnf 
For good sueceaa to erown my undertakings; 
And then, at my return, perhaps TU free thee. 
To make me further siwirt. Away with him ' 
I wdl not h«u* a sylbnle. 

[Binint Srri^ntt with Gracrkm, 
We must truAt 
Ourselves, Eugenia ; and though we make use of 
The coun^l of our servants, that oil spent. 
Like snuffs that do ofiend, we tretui them out.-^ 
But now to our last scene, whic:b we'll so carry. 
That fiiUiV shall understand how 'twiki begun. 
Till all, with half an eye, mjiy a«e *Qa dmifeew 



SCENE If.— Mihin. A Rnnm in (A# G»rt/#. 
Efitfr PLsi'^nA, TiBiLitia, and $iti'tt4!MJi» 

Feic, 1 he like wa« never n?ad of. 

Suph. In my judgement^ 
To nil tliat fthall but beer it, 'twill app«iir 
A most impossible fable, 

Tib. For Francisco, 
]\Iy wonder is tlie less, because tbera at« 
Too many precedents of unthankful men 
Raised up to greatness, which have after studied 
The rum ot tbeir makers. 

istffih. But tltat melancholy, 
Tlinugb oifiing in distraction, shonld work 
So far U)ion a man, as to comfiel him 
To court % thing that has nor sense nor bcuig. 
Is unto mti a nunicle, 

Fw. Troth, I'll tell you. 
And briefly as 1 can, by what clegreea 
He fell inlo this mudness. \\ hfo, by the care 
Of his physicians, he was brought lo life, 
Atj be hud only |mss*d a fearful dream. 
And bad not acted what 1 grieve to think on, 
He cnlFd fur fair Alarcelia, and being told 
1 hut she was dead, he broke forth in extremea, 
(1 would not say blasphemed,) tmd chi*d that || 

heuven, 
For all the offence* that mankind could do. 
Would never be *o cruel as to rob it 
Of so much sweetness, and of »o much good] 
That not alone was sacred in herself, 
But did preserve all others innocent, 
Thrtt had but converse witb her* l*h«n it 
Into his fancy that *he wns accused 
By his mother and his sister ; ihrice be cursed iImb 
And thrice his desperate hand waa on Uia sword 
T'have kiird them both; but he restrain d, and tber 
Shunning his fury, spite of »U prevention 
He would have tiiru'd his rage upon himself; 
When wisely his pbyitieiaus loolung on 
The dutchesa' wound, to »tny his ready liond. 
Cried out, it was not mortkil. 

Tib, TwaH well thou girl on» 

Fe»r. 1 Ih t-aMilv helieviiig what he wi^li^d. 
More than a perpftuity of ideasure 
In any object vine ; flattered by hoiie. 
Forgetting his own greatuess, he fell prckstnlie 
At the doctor's feet, imphjrid thnr aid, uud 
Pro\-ided they recover a her, he would live 
A private man. and they should shore his duk*deaa* 
Tliey seem'd to promise iair, and every hour 
Vary their Judgmcnta, as tlie) hud his tit 



Scene III.] 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



87 



To suffer intermission or extremes : 
For his bebariour t 



S/or, [withUi.] As you hare pity. 
Support ner gently. 

Peso, Now, be your own witnesses ; 
I am prerented. 

Enter Sporza, Isabella, Mariana, Doctors and 
Servants wUh the Body cf Marcs.ua. 

SfcfT. Ourefully, I beseech you. 
The gentlest touch torments her ; and then think 
What I shall suffer. O yon earthly gods, 
You second natures, that from your great master. 
Who join'd the limbs of torn Hippolitus, 
And drew upon himself the Thunderer's enry. 
Are tauf ht those hiddeu secrets that restore 
To life death-wounded men ! yon hare a patient, 
On whom to express the excellence of art. 
Will bind even heaven your debtor, though it pleases 
To make your hsnds the organs of a work 
The saints will smile to loM on, and good angels 
Clap their celestial wings to give it plaudits. 
How pale and wan she looks ! O pardon me, 
That I presume (died o*er with bloody guilt. 
Which makes me, I confess, far, far unworthy) 
To touch this snow-white hand. How cold it is ! 
This once was Cupid's 6re-brand, and still 
'Tis so to me. How slow her pulses beat too ! 
Vet. in this temper, she is all perfection. 
And mistress of a heat so full oi sweetness. 
The blood of virgins, in their pride of youth. 
Are balls of snow or ice compared unto her. 

Afori. Is not this strange? 

Itah. Oh ! cross him not, dear daughter ; 
Our conscience tells us we have been abused, 
Wrought to accuse the innocent, and with him 
Are guilty of a fiict 

Enter a Servant, ani whispers Pescara. 

Maru lis now past help. 

Pese. Withmel Whatishel 

Serv. He has a strange aspect ; 
A Jew by birth, and a physician 
By his profession, as he says, who, hearing 
Of the duke's frensy, on the forfeit of 
His life will undertake to render him 
Perfect in every part : — ^provided that 
Your lordship's mvour gain him free access. 
And yonr power with the duke a safe protection, 
Till the great work be ended. 

Pete Bring me to him ; 
As I find cause. 111 do. [ Exeunt Pete, and Serv, 

Sfor, How sound she sleeps ! 

Heaven keep her from a letlwrgy ! How long 

(But answer me with comfort, 1 beseech you) 
Does your sure judgment tell you, that these lids. 
That cover richer jewels than themselves. 
Like envious night, will bar these glorious suns 
From shining on me 7 

1 DoeL We have given her, sir, 
A sleepy potion, that will hold her long. 
That she may be less sensible of the torment 
The searching of her woond will put her to. 

ft Doet. She now feels little ; but, if we should 
wake her. 
To hear her speak would fright both us and you, 
And therefore dare not hasten it. 

Sfor, lampsitieBt. 
Yon see I do not rage, bat wait your pleasure. 
What do you think she dreams of now ? f6r sure. 



Although her body's organs are bound fast, 
Her fancy cannot slumber. 

1 Doct, That, sir, looks on 
Your sorrow foryour late rash act, with pity 
Of what you suffer for it, and prepares 
To meet the free confession of your guilt 
With a glad pardon. 

Sfor, She was ever kind f 
And her displeasure, though call'd on, short-lived 
Upon the least submission. O you Powers. 
That can convey our thoughts to one another 
Without the aid of eyes or ears, asi$ist me ! 
Let her behold me in a pleasing dream 
Thus, on my knees before her ; (yet thst duty 
In me is not sufficient ;) let her see me 
Compel my mother, from whom I took life. 
And til is my sister, partner of my being, 
To bow thus low unto her ; let her hear us 
In my acknowledgment freely confess 
lliat we in a degree as high are guilty 
As slie is innocent Bite your tongues, vile creatures. 
And let your inward borrour fright your souls, 
For having belied that pureness, to come near which, 
AH women that posterity can bring forth 
Must be, though striving to be good, poor rivals. 
And for that dog Frmici^co, that seduced me. 
In wounding her, to rase a temple built 
To chastity and sweetneso, let her know 
1*11 follow him to hell, but I will find him. 
And there live a fourth fury to torment him. 
Then, for this cursed hand and arm, that guided 
The wicked steel. III have them, joint by joint, 
With burning irons sear'd off", which I will eat, 
I being a vulture fit to taste such carrion ; 
Lastly 

1 bod. You are too loud, sir ; you disturb 
Her sweet repose. 

Sfor, I am hush'd. Yet give us leave, ' 
Thus prostrate at her feet, our eyes bent downwards, 
Unworthy and ashamed, to look upon her. 
To expect her gracious sentence. 

2 Doct, He's past hope. 

1 Doct, The body too will putnfy, and then 
We can no longer cover the imposture. 

Tib, Which in his* death will quickly be dis- 
I can but weep his fortune. [cover'd. 

Steph, Yet be careful 
You lose no minute to preserve him ; time 
May lessen his distraction. 

Re-enter Pescara, with Francisco as a Jew and 
Eugenia disguised, 

Fran, I am no god, sir. 
To give a new life to her ; yet I'U hazard 
My head, I'll work the senseless trunk t* appear 
To him as it had got a second being. 
Or that the soul that's fled from't, were call'd back 
To govern it again. 1 will preserve it 
In the first sweetness, and by a strange vapour. 
Which I'll infuse into her mouth, create 
A seeming breath ; I'll make her veins run high too. 
As if they had true motion. 

Peso, Do but this, 
Till we use means to win upon his passions 
T'endure to hear she's dead with some small patience. 
And make thy own reward. 



• Tib. Which in his death will quickly be dieeover'd,] I 
know not how the inodera editor* understood this line, bat 
for Ms, they read, her death : a strange sophistication I 



m 



rifK TJLTKK OF WILAN. 



[Act W 



Fran, Tbe nrt I une 

AiliuiU DO Itviiker tm : T ori!y Ask 

1 hi* fuurtU pmrt oT an Lour io perfect Unit 

1 boldly ujidertdke. 

/*«<*. I will procure it. 

2 iJitrL What litninjrer's tliiiT 

Pfit, SiJoth in*" in (ill I »iy ; 
Thnrt* is R inaiti end iti't. 

Fmn, li<^w ato ! 

Kw*-, I am wani'd, 

/Vjt. Look up, sir, cljeerfuTly ; comfort in mo 
Flowji aitruugly to yuu. 

Sjfir, From wlit^nce came fhat sound f 
\Vtt5 it from my Murct'liu ! If it were» 
I rtMi, ujid joy wrjlj g^iv© me wing* to mwt if, 

Pf*e. Nor e»hall your expectation be deferr'd 
But a few minutcis. Your pbjstitians are 
M«re voice, und no pcrfonniiuce ; I bnve found 
A umn that can do wondt^re* Do not binder 
The dntcbeiM' wiah*d recovery, to i^miuiro 
Or what he i», or to givt* thanks, but Iwive him 
To work Uus minjcJe. 

Sj'i^r, Sure» 'tis my gooci angel. 
I do obf'y io nil things ; be it death 
For any to disturb him, or come ntmr^ 
Till he be pleased to call ua. O, be prosperous, 
And make a duke thy bondman ! 

[Eievnt all but Fmnciieo and Eugtnm, 

Fran. Tia my puqjose ; 
If tlmr to tall a lowg-wish'd sncri6oo 
To my Fpvtjnge can be a benefic 
I'll first m»ke fiiBt the doors i — «o( 

Eti^, \*m amsse me : 
What follows now? 

Fran. A foil conclusion 
Of all thy wishes. Look on this* Eugenia, 
Even such a thing, the proud eat fair on earth 
( for whose delight the *»leraent8 are rBnsack'd, 
And art with nntur** Htiidi»«d to j^reserir© her,) 
Must be» w]i{>ri she is .summoned to appear 
In the roun of death. But I lose time* 

Eug, What mean you ? 

Fran* Disturb me not. Your ladyship looks pale ; 
But I, your doctor, hare a ceruse for yoy. 
See, my Eugeniii, how many fnces, 
That are idomed in court, borrow these helps, 

{Paints the chrekt. 
Aud (jass for excellence, when the better put 
Of them are like to tliis. Your mouth smells soar 
But here is tJjat shall tike awny the sc^nt ; [too, 
A precious antidote o!d hwlii'S use, [rottefi, 

When they wouhl kiss, knowing their gums are 
These hands too, that dis4lnin*d to take« touch 
From any lip, whose owner wnt not loni, 
Are now but as the coarsest earth i but 1 
Am at the charge, my bill not to be \md too, 
Fo give thrm seeming beauty* So ! 'us done, 
Itow do vou like my workmanship T 

Eng. 1 tremble : 
And thus totynnmize upon the dead 
Is most inhuman, 

Frati* Come we for revenge. 
And can we think on pity ? Now to the upshot. 
And. ai it proves, applaud it. My hml the duke, 
Enter with juVt muI f<v*^ tJie stidileu chmige 
Your servant s hand huth wrought. 

Bf-itnifv Si-oaxA and the mt» 
SyW* I live Ngnin 



f o my full contidence tbftt Mirroelia mny 
Prtmounoe my purdoQ. Can aha speak jet 1 

Ffttii. No: 
You must not look for aU your jo ji at once ; 

'lliai will ask longer time. 

Pttc, Tis wondrous strange f 

Sftw* B}' all the dues oi lore I have had from hn. 
Tins hand seems as it was when first I ktss'd it, 
Tho*e lips invite too : I could ever feed 
Ifpon tliKse rtjsest they still keep tbetr colour 
And native swtfetness : only tlie nectar's wiintin|f. 
That, ljk*» the morning dew in flowery May, 
Preserved them in their btniuty. 

Filler GaACcno fmUHjf* 

Grnc. Treason, treiwon ! 

Tih. Cull up tJie gutird, 

FrtiH, (Jniccho! tht-n we are lG«t, 

Gnic. I am got off. ^ir Jew ; « bribe hath done lt« 
For all your M>rions chsrg^e ; there's no diaguias 
Con ke<»p you from my knowledge. 

Sfar. Stif'Ak. 

(jTuc. J am out of breath, 
But this ia-^^ 

Fran. Spare thy luhtnir, fool» — Fiwicisco •• 

AIL Monster of men I 

Fran. Give me all attributes 
Of all yon can imagine, yet I gtory 
To be the thing I was bom. 1 am Fmncisca; 
Fnnicisco, that was raised by yon. and made 
The Ditnion of lh« time ; the same Fmnrisoo, 
'fhat would have whored this trunk, when it Itaii llfto; 
And, after, breiilhed a jealousy u|Hin che*^, 
As killing as those damps thiit In Ich out plsguei 
When the foundatiou of the earth is »hak**n: 
I mude tjiee do a deed heaven wdl not j»afdc«n. 
Which wos^ — to kill on innoeenL 

Sj'or. Call fortli the tortures 
For all that flesh can feel, 

Fran, I d<»re the wont : 
Only, to yield some reason to Uie world 
Whv I pur.tiipd this course, look on this fiw^. 
Made old liy thy base falsehoorl ; *Us Eugenia. 

Sfifr. Eugi»nia! 

A'mrK Dot^s it start yon, sir? my ttster, 
S(*diiced and fuoi'd hy thee: but tboa must pay 
1'he forfeit of thy falsehoo«L Does it not work jriCt< 
W^iato'er becomes of me, wliich 1 esteem not. 
Thou art marked for the grave : I've given lliee 

fKiison 
fn this cup*, (now obaerve me.) which thy last 
Carousing dt^^ply of, made thee forget 
Thv vow'd fiiitli to Hugenio. 

PfM"* O damn'd villain ! 

hitff. How do you, sir I 

Sjor. Ljk« one 
That lenrns to know in death what punishTnent 
Waits on l)ie bretich of faith. Oh t now 1 leel 



bntil NViiwjil uf hii (aili, witli «a tfmphatic^l repftitii*e *irtJ* 
nam*, *M tbc cntmirralioti of M* »?i«m) aci« 
whkh bv jaMlile* rrum ii ■pirif of rcvrn^«,iii «[) 
fsvt rite le one or thp iii4»»t Jiniinatrrl scru^n 



p«ctry. Tbe rrMler ^ 

*rt uf Dr. YuUM(;'i F< 

4r:trndt rvrry crui*! ,' i 

t /wpy^ 

in thi* cttpt 4kc.1 t e. in > 

terrible m:«ih!, «ih1 h** the ^■. 

Italiitt itory 



th4( I rricf 
7,An%n. Iikr praaici*rt»» 
I* act ttr hm* ciMnmmH 

orrlla. Thit i* • 
-.^■^ Uk«« fVutii toiDc 



Scene II. 



THE DUKE OF MILAN. 



89 



An i£tna in my entnilsw — 1 liETe lived 
A prince, and my last breath shall be command. 
— I bum, I burn ! yet ere life be consumed, 
Let me pronounce upon this wretch all torture 
That witty cruel^ can invent. 

Pe$t. Away with him ! 

Tib. In all things we will serve you. 

Fran. Farewell, sister ! 
Now I have kept mj word, torments I scorn : 
I leave the wond with grlory. They are men. 
And leave behind them name and memory. 
That wrong 'd, do right themselves before they die. 
[Exeunt Guard wUh Frane'aco, 

Steph, A desperate wretch ! 

Sfor. 1 come : Deadi ! I obey thee. 



Yet I will not die raging ; for, alas ! 
My whole life was a frenzy. Good Eugenia, 
In death forgive me. — As vou love me, bear her 
To some religious house, there let her spend 
The remnant of her life : when I am ashes, 
Perhaps shell be appeased, and spare a prayer 
For my poor soul. Bury me with Marceliu, 
And let our epitaph be [ Dies. 

Tib. His speech is stopt. 

Steph. Already dead ? 

Pesc. It is in vain to labour 
To call him back. We'll give him funeral. 
And then determine of the state affdrs : 
And learn, from this example. There's no trust 
In a foundation that is built on lust. [Ereiinf*. 



* Mr. M. Muoo, cODtrarv to hb coclom, has given an 
ftccoaot of this pUy ; bat it u loo looie und anaatUnctory to 
be prcaenled to the reader. He has obavrved, indeed, what 
coald not easily be missed,— the beanty of Ihe langnase, the 
elevation of tlie sentiments, the interesting nature of the 
sitaatioos, &c. Bat Ihe interior motive of the piece, — llie 
spring of action from which Ihe tragic events are made lo 
flow, — seems to Iuit« ntterly escaped him. He has Uicen 
the accessory for the primary passion of it, and, opon his 
own errur, fonnded a comparison between the Dube qf 
Milam and OthtfUo.- But let ns hear Massinger himself. 
Fearing that, in a reverse of fortune, his wife may fall into 
the posse s sion of another, Sforxa gives a secret order for her 
murder, and attributes his resoluaun to the excess of his 
atuchment : 

** Tis more than love to her, that marlcs her out 
A wish'd companion to me in both fortunes." 

Act I. so. iii. 

This Is carefhlly remembered in the conference between 
Marcelia and Francis<-o, and connected with the le«liugs 
which it occasions in ler : 

" that my lord, my Sforxa, should esteem 

My life fit only »* a page, to wait ou 

The various coarse '^f his uncertain fortunes ; 

Or clierish in himself that sensual hope. 

In death to know me as a wife, afflicts me." 

Act III. sc. ii. 
Upon this disapprobation of his selfish motive, is founded 
her reserve towards him, — a reserve, however, more allied 
to lendrmeM than to anger, atid meant as a pnident correc- 
tive of his unreasonable desin*s Ani fVom this reserve, 111 
interpreted by Sforaa, proceeds that jealousy of bis in the 
fuarth act, which Mr. M. Mason will have lo be the ground 
work of the whole subject ! 

BnC if Massinger must be comiMred with somebody, let it 
be with himreir: for, as the reader will by ami by perceive, 
ihe Duhe ^fMUan has more »ub»lauti4l conneK ion with the 
Picture than with Othello. In his axuri<NMness,— his dieting 
entreutkn of his wife's favours, — his abject rtr^ncals of the 



mediation of others for biiu, Ac. 8tc. Sforxa stmngly resem- 
bles Ladislans ; while the friendly and bold reproofs of his 
fondness by Pcscara and Stephano prrpare us for the rebukes 
afterwards emploved against the same failing by the intrepid 
kindness of Eubmus. And not only du we find this similai ity 
in some of the leading sentiments of the two plays, but 
occasionally the very language of the one is carried inio Ihe 
other. 

As lo Ihe action itself of this piece, it is highly animating 
and interesting; and its connexion, at the very opening, with 
an important passaee of history, prucures fur it at ouc«- a 
decided attention, "nils is, for Ihe most part, «« ell maintained 
by strong and rapid alternaiions of, fortune, till the catastrophe 
i» matured by the ever-working vengeance of FrMDciscii. 
Even here, the author his contrived a novelty of interest 
little expected by the reader: and the late appearance of the 
injured Eugenia throws a fresh emotion into the conclusion 
of the play, while it explains a ronsiderable part of Ihe plot, 
with which, indeed, it is essenti-«llv connected. 

The character of Sforxa himself is strongly conceived. 
His passionate fondness for Marcelia,— his sudden rage at her 
apparent coolness, — his resolute renunciation of her,— his 
speedy repentance and ftretfnl impatience of her absence,— 
hts vehement defence of her innocence,— his quicic and 
destructive vengeance against her, upon a false assertion of 
her dishonour,— and iiis proirtrations and mad embraces of her 
dead body,— shew the force of dotage and hate in their ex- 
tremes. His actions are wild and ungovemed, and his whole 
life b (as he says) made up of frenxy. 

One important lesson is to be drawn from the principal 
feature of this character. From Sforxa's ill-rcgulate<l fomi- 
ness for Marcelia flows his own order for her murder. The 
discovery of it occasions the distant behaviour of the wife, 
the revenge of the husband, ami the death of both. — Let nii 
nite the blcstiin^s of life with miKiesty and thankfulness. He 
who aims at intemperate gratifications, disturbs the order of 
Providence ; and, in the premature loss of the object which 
he toi> fondly covets, is made to feel the Just pnnishnieiit of 
unreasonable wislies, and ungoverneU induljeuce. Da. 



THE 

BONDMAN. 

The Bondman.] Hitherto we have had oo clue to guide us in ascertaining the true date of these dramas. 
The fortunate discovery of Sir Henry Herbert's Office- book enables us, from this period, to proceed with 
every degree of certainty. 

The Bondman was allowed by tlie Master of the Revels, and performed at the Cockpit in Dmnr Lane, on 
the third of December, 16^3. It was printed in the following year, and again in 1638. This editioo is full 
of errors, which I have been enabled to remove, by the assistance of the first copy, for which I am indebted 
to the kindness of Mr. M alone 

This ancient story (for so it is called by Massinger) is founded on the life of Timoleon the Corinthian, as 
recorded by Plutarch. The revolt and subsequent reduction of the slaves to their duty, is taken from Hero- 
dotus, or, more probably, from Justin*, who repeats the tale. The tale, however, more especially the catas- 
trophe, is trifling enough, and does liule honour to those who invented, or those who adopted it , but the 
beautiftil episode here founded upon it, and which is entirely Massinger's own, is an inimitable piece of art. 

This is one of the few plays of Massinger that have been revived since the Restoration. In 1660 it was 
brought on the stage bv Betterton, then a young man, who played, as Downes the prompter informs us, the 
part of Pisander, for which nature had eminently qualified him. It was again performed at Druiv Lane in 
1719, and given to the press with a second title of Love and Liberty , and a few insignificant alterations; and 
in 1779 a modification of it was produced by Mr. Cumberland, and played for a few nights at Covent 
Garden, but, as it appears, with no extraordinary encouragement It was not printed. 



RIGHT HONOURABLE, MY BINGUlJiR GOOD LORD, 

PHILIP EARL OF MOJ^TGOMERY, 

KNIGHT OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER, Sec. 

Right Honourable, 
However I could never arrive at the happiness to be made known to your lordship, yet a desire, bom with 
me, to make a tender of all duties and service to the noble family of the Herberts, descended to me as sn 
inheritance from my dead father, Arthur Massingurf. Many years he happily spent in the service of your 
honourable house, and died a servant to it ; leuving hist to be ever most glad and ready, to be at the com- 
mand of all such as derive themselves from his most honoured master, your lordship's most noble fiither. 
The consideration of this encouraged me (having no other means to present my humblest service to your 
honour) to shroud this trifle under the wings of your noble protection ; and I hope, out of the demienar of 
your heroic disposition, it will find, though perhaps not a welcome entertainment, yet, at the worst, a gracious 
pardon. When it was first acted, your lordship's liberal suffrage taught others to allow it for current, it 
having received the undoubted stamp of your lordships allowance : and if in the perusal of any vacant hoar, 
when your honour's more serious occasions shall give you leave to read it, it answer, in your lordship's 
judgment, the report and opinion it had upon the stage, I shall esteem my labours not ill employed, and, while 
I live, continue 

the humblest of those that 

truly honour vour lordship. 

PHILIP MASSINGER. 



• It may, Indeed, be taken from an acconnt of RoMia in Purcha*'$ PUgrima, a book that formed the ddifkt of osr 
ancestors. There it U Mid, lb.it the Roiards of Novlort>iiod reduced iheir slaves, who had seised the town, by the wyp, jaM 
as the Scvthians are Mid to have done theirs. 

t ff If dead father, Arthnr Mauinger.] &o reads the first editioo. The modem editors follow the Mcood, wUck has 
PhUiu Massinger. See tlie Iniioductiun. 

X Leaning his to he ever mott glad, &c.] So it stands in both the old quartos, and In Coxeter. Mr. M. Mmos, wUhont 
authority, and indeed witliont reason, inserts mm after hia : but the dedication, as given by him, and his 
the second quarto, is full of errors. 



Scene I.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



91 



DRAMATIS PERSON .t. 



TnioLEON, the general, of Corinth. 

Arcmidajiius, ■prtttor of Syracusa. 

DiPHiLus, a $enatar o/ Syracusa. 

Cleon, a fat impotetit lord, 

PisA.vDER, a gentleman of Thebes ; disguised as a 

slave, named MuruWo. (The Bondman.) 
PoupuRON, friend to Pisander ; also disguised as a 

slave. 
Leosthenes, a gentleman of Syracusa, enamoured of 

Cleora. 
AsoTVS, a foolish Uner, and the son of Cleon. 
TiMAOOBAS, the son of ArchidamuA. 



GnACcuLO, 

ClMRRIO, 

A Gaoler. 



slaves. 



Cleora, daughter of Krc\\\dw[i\iB. 

Co RISC A, a proud watiton lady^ wife to Cleon. 

Olympia, a rich widow. 

Statilia, sister to Pisander, slave to Cleora, named 

Timandra. 
Zantiiia, slave to Corisca. 



Other slaves, 0£Scers, Senators. 
SCENE, Sjrracuse, and the adjacent country. 



ACT I. 



SCENE I. — The Camp of Timoleon, near S)Tacuse. 
Enter Timagoras and Leosthenes. 

Timag. Why should you droop, Leosthenes, or 
despair 
My sister's favour ? What before you purchased 
By courtship and fair language, in these wars 
(For from her soul you know ahe loves a soldier) 
You may deserve by action, 

LeosL Good Timngoras, 
When I have said my friend, think all is spoken 
That may assure me yours ; and pray you believe. 
The dreadful voice ot war that shakes the cit^. 
The thundering threats of Carthage, nor their army. 
Raised to make good those threats, affright not me. — 
If fair Cleora were confirm'd his prize. 
That has the strongest arm and sharpest sword, 
I'd court Bellona in her horrid trim, 
As if she were m mistress ; and bless fortune. 
That offers my young valour to the proof. 
How much I dare do for your sister's love. 
But, when that I consider bow averse 
Your noble father, gr^at Archidamus, 
Is, and hath ever been, to mv desires. 
Reason may warrant me to doubt and fear, 
What seeds soever I sow in these wars 
Of noble courage, his determinate will 
Blay blast and give my harvest to another. 
That never toil'd for it. 

Tima^. Prithee, do not nourish , [me, 

Theae jealous thoughts ; I am thine, (and pardon 
Though I repeat it,) thy Timagoras*, 
That, for thy sake, when the bold Theban sued, 
Far-famed Pisander, for my sister's love. 
Sent him disgraced and discontented home. 
I wrought my father then ; and I, that stopp'd not 
In the career of my affection to thee. 
When that renowned worthy, that, brought with himf 



Themgh / r^eat it,) tby f imagora*.] So the oM copies. 
What lodnccd the modem editors to make nonsense of the 
passaee, and print mg Leosthenes, I cannot even g:aess. 

t frhen thai remowmed worthy, that, bromght with him] 
In tbis Une Mr. M. M smh omits the second that, which, he 
•ays *' destroys both sense and metre." The rcdnplication is 



High birth, wealth, courage, as fee'd advocates 
To mediate for him : never will consent 
A fool, that only has the shape of man, 
Asotus, though he be rich Cleon's heir. 
Shall bear her from thee. 

Least. In that trust I love*. 

Timag. Which never shall deceive you. 

Enter Pisander. 

Pisan. Sir, the general, 
Timoleon, by his trumpets hath given warning 
For a remove. 

Timag. 'Tis well ; provide my horse. 

Pitan. 1 shall, sir. [Exit 

Least. This slave has a strange aspect. [knare : 

Timag. Fit for bis fortune ; 'tis a strong-limb'd 
My father bought him for my sister's litter. 
O pride of women ! Coaches are too common — 
They surfeit in the happiness of peace, 
And ladies think they keep not state enough, 
If, for their pomp and ease, they are not bom 
In triumph on men's shoulders f. 

Leost. Who commands 
The Carthaginian fleet? 

Timag. Gisco's their admiral. 
And 'tis our happiness ; a raw young fellow. 
One never tniin'd in arms, but rather fashion'a 
To tilt with ladies* lips, than crack a lance ; 
Ravish a feather from a mistress' fan, 
And wear it as a favour. A steel helmet. 
Made horrid with a glorious plume, will crack 
His woman's neck. 

Leost. No more of him.^ — The motives, 
That Corinth gives us aid ? 

entirely in],Mas8inger'sftianDcr,and sMoredly destroys neither. 
With respect to the sense, that is enforced by it ; and no 
very exquisite ear is required, to perceive that the metre is 
improved.— How often will it be necessary to observe, that 
oar old dramaticts never counted their syllables on their 
Angers r 

* Leost In that trust J love.] Love is the reading of both 
the quartos. In the modern ediiioiu it is unnecessarily 
altered to live. 

t In triumph on men's shoulders.} Referring to the then 
recently introduced sedan-chairs, which excited much indlg- 
oatioa in Massinger's time. 



9« 



THE BONDMAN. 



[SCFNE III. 



Timag, The common danger ; 
For Sicily being afire, she is not safe : 
It being npparent that ambitious Carthage, 
That, to enlarge her empire, strives to fasten. 
An unjust gripe on us that live free lords 
Of Syracusa, will not end, till Greece 
Acknowledge her their sovereign. 

LeosL I am satisfied. 
What think you of our general "i 

Timag, He's a man [Trumpets sound. 

Of strange and reserved parts, but a great soldier*. 
His trumpets call us, I'll forbear his character j 
To-morrow, in tlie senate-house, at large 
He will express himself. 

LewU rU follow you^* [Exeunt 



SCENE II. — SvRAcrsE. A Uoom in Clean* s House, 
Enter Cleon, Corisca, and Guacculo. 

Coris, Nay, good chuck. 

Cieon, Vve ?aid it ; stay at home, 
I cannot brook your gadding ; you're a fair one, 
Beauty invites temptations, and' short heels 
Are soon tripp'd up. 

Coris, Deny me ! by my honour, 
You take no pity on me. I shall swoon 
As soon as you are absent ; ask my man else, 
You know he dares not tell a lie. 

Grac. Indeed, 
You are no sooner out of sight, but she [doctor, 
Does feel strange qualms ; then sends for her young 
Who ministers physic to her on her back, 
Her ladyship lymg as she were entninced : 
(Vve peep'd in at the keyhole, and observed them:) 
And sure his potions never fail to work, 
For she's so pleasant in the taking them, 
She tickles again. 

Cor is. Ana all's to make you merry, 
When you come home. 

Cleon, You flatter me : I'm old. 
And wisdom cries, Beware. 

Coris. Old, duck ! To me 
You are a young Adonis. 

Grac. Well said, Venus ; 
I am sure she Vulcans him. 

Coris. I will not change thee 
For twenty boisterous yo^mg things without beards. 
These bristles give the gentlest titillations. 
And such a sweet dew flows on them, it cures 
My lips without pomatum. Here's a round belly ! 
*Ti8 a down pillow to my back ; 1 sleep 
So quietly by it : and this tunable nose, 
Faitb, when you hoar it not, affords such music, 
That I curse all night-fiddlers. 

Grac. This is gross. 
Not finds she flouts him ! 

Coris, As I live, 1 am jealous. 

CUon, Jealous of me, wife? 

Coris, Yes ; and I have reason ; 
Knowing how lusty and active a man you are. 

Cleoti, Hum, hum ! [will make him 

Grac, This is no cunning quean f ! slight, she 



* Timag. He's a man 

O/st range and reserved paHs» butaffreat soldier.] Strange 
signiileii here distant. M. Mason. 

1 <lo not pretend to know the meaning of distant parlk 
MaMinger, liowever. is clear enough : strange and reserved, 
in his langnace, is, strHngely (i. e. simjnlaily) reserved. 

f Orac. 7*hls is no cunning quean .'] In our author's time, 
as b justly obeirved by Warburtun, " the negaUve, in com- 



To think that, like a stag, be has cast his horus. 
And is grown young again. 

Coris, You have forgot 
What you did in your sleep, and, when you waked, 
Call'd for a caudle. 

Grac. It was in his sleep ; 
For, waking, I durst trust my mother with him. 

Coris, I long to see the man of war : Cleora, 
Archidamus* daughter, goes, and rich Olympia ; 
I will not miss the show. 

Cleon. There's no contending : 
For this time 1 am pleased, but 111 no more on*t. 

[EreutU, 



SCENE lU^—Thesame, The SenaU-house. 

Enter Abchioamus, Cleon, Diphiliw, Olympia, 
Corisca, Cleora, and Zanthia. 

Archid, So careless we have been, my nuble lords 
In the disposing of our own aflairs, 
And ignorant in the art of government. 
That now we need a stranger to instruct ns. 
Yet we are happy that our neighbour Corinth, 
Pitying the unjust gripe Carthage would lay 
On Syracusa, hath vouchsafed to lend us 
Her man of men, Timoleon, to defend 
Our country and our liberties. 

Dtp^ 'Tis a favour 
We are unworthy of, and we may blush 
Necessity compels us to receive it. [naticm 

Archid, O shame ! that we, that are a populous 
Eng^aged to liberal nature, for all blessings 
An island can bring forth ; we, that have limbs. 
And able bodies ; shipping, arms, and treasure. 
The sinews of the war, now we are call'd 
To stand upon our guard, cannot produce 
One fit to be our general. 

Cleon, I am old and fat ; 
I could say something else. 

Archid, We must obey 
The time and our occasions ; ruinous buildings. 
Whose bases and foundations are infirm. 
Must use supporters : we are circled round [wings. 
With danger; o'er our heads witli sail-stretch*d 
Destruction hovers, and a cloud of mischief 
Ready tobreak upon us ; no hope left us 
That may divert it, but our sleeping virtue. 
Roused up by brave Timoleon. 

Cleon, When arrives he ? 

Diph, He is expected every hour. 

Archid, The braveries* 
Of Syracusa, among whom my son 
llmagoras. Leosthenes, and Asotus, 
Your hopeful heir, lord Cleon, two days since 
Rode forth to meet him, and attend him to 
The city ; every minute we expect 
To be bless'd with his presence. 

rSAoutj within ; then a Jhurish cf trumpets. 

Cleon, What shout's tliis ? 

m»n speech, was UMtl ironically to express the exc«as of a 
thing.'' Thus, in the Homan Actor : 

«• This is no flattery !" 
And again, in the City Madam : 

" Here's no gross flaiter> ! Will she swaOow tkter* 
and in a thousand other places. 

• Archid. The braveries 

0/Syracusat &c.] i. e. the young nobility, the gay and 
fashionable gallants of the citv. Thus Ckrimont, la hb de- 
scription of Sir Amorous la rotile, observes that '* he Is fine 
of the braveries, though he be none of tbe wits.*' TTk SUent 
Woman. 



SCENX III.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



93 



Diph. TU BMtmdvd with loud miuii& 
Archtd. Wbicb (!otifimift 

With til mpect Bol^mnitj* iud pma.pt 

A ttum may merit, tlint cornet to Fedeem ua 

From 8ltt%***rv and oppr^flstonu 

Ci^n. rii Jotk up [Corinih* 

My doora, uid guard tnj j^nld ^ tbpft» lada of 
iHve nimltle fingitfr', and I fear thc^m moivr, 
Being witKiu our wotU, thaa tbofte of Csrfjiiage ; 
They Bre far offl 

^rcrAni. And, Indif":*!, W it your ctffe 
To welcome hun and lu4 fbUoft ers with all duly : 
For Tv<t resolved, Uieir tmodt tad a^utdi must 

k<»«i you 
In that mil Uei^lil of !mpriiue&« jcm lire ; 
A dreadful chni^ etm follows. 

[ Eieunt Archkhmui, Cietmj and Dqfhtlu$' 

Otvmp. We ore imttructed. 

(wii. I'll klis him for the honour of mj country, 
W itJi nay ahff in Corinth *» 

Oiftrnp. Were he a courrier, 
I Ve (iweetmcat in my cloBet nhs3l content him. 
Be hia palate ne'er lao curioue. 

Cori$f. And, if need he, [orchaitl, 

I hare « e^iieli «iid ■ benqueHng'house in mj 
\Vher« majjy a oiiui of hotiour t baa not acorn d 
To »f>eud en afterooon. 

Oiifmp, These men of war, 
Aa 1 bare heard, know not to court i bdy. 
They cannot preise our dre^ainga, kins our hands, 
Uaber ua to oar litteo, teU tore-^toritfs. 
Commend our hM anfl legs, and *o senrch upwards ; 
A sweet b«?comiii^ boUlues^ ! lh#T «re ruuj^h, 
Boistproui, jind iriiucy, end Kt ihe'finAt stght 
Ruffle and touxeu^t, and,aa tijey £nd their Btonmeha, 
Fall roundly to it, 

Ceri*. 'Troth, I like them tbe better : 
I ain*t endure to hure a fieifunied »ir 
Stand ediigin^ in the lianiH, licking his lips 
Lilie a spii.iiif>l o\'er u furnieuty-pot, and yet 
Ilaa not the boldneaa to come on, or oi'er 
Wltet they know we expect. 

Olfmpm We may commend 
A gentleman 'a fnodescy, xtmmeni, and fine knguage, 
Hi:9 aingrirsg, duitcifig, riding of great tiorisejsi, 
llie wearinj^ of bi« elolliea, bi^ fair compleiion j 
Taki) pre*f«(jt4 from him, and extol \\i^ botjnly ; 
Y«!, though he- ohfterre, and wisfce hie «tate upon 
g»f, 

tlilu iMlkn liJt^nl btj^b mjmm% th« Kbrkdts fur |tiJI>ttJtf;^ ; ■ikI 
to ikU Curiaea MUMiln. 

/ kmf€ a L'mnt'A ffiitf e tMBit««liiiK'lifiitH fo my ar^h«rd\ 
M hm BMivy # mfm^mw, &e.i Onr diet |»lit>i nrf lull 
of atliAsitHiJi itj tlu'N: t^ritta4imt»f<, ^falirh ■ipiii'^r to 1iav« 
bNetfH abukfft tn thv parp.«ei wf debAKlwry. A v<*r> lioinL']y 
p»«upr rrofii Bliibtics'i Aiml9mifiifAbtats, 15»u, wiil cuke 
aJI tki> ptajm : *■ Ui ibv enbnrbtt ^r tJie firie, ilnr-y fthc wra- 
Ki4fti]> lute fordraj crithrr p^li-fl of wnllc^l ruactl «bi)ot very 
hkh, vfrb tticir h^j-brnf Rud bovtrtfiff fur iIr- |>nrpc]««: mnd 
IrH iljfy iiH^bl be ffpir^ 111 !hr»p a^vb ^Uci?*, Ibrj? MVr Ihclr 
hamfmftmtf-hmtMrM wilb g>tl«cii'«, lurrtu, un'l wJi«( 



thrFrln lumi^BcmBty rnxi«d i ^bfirli-i ibtfj liuiy, akiil dmibl 



l«^ rto, m*ii> irf tbein, play ilrf 6t«i> |»fWB»?' Stc iw, 



' and iTiO^iff Atj <iarr uj'om tut,] Everywhere 
the modrm fdlton jirlnt Uil" wurd iwlth ibirmnrk of elLtion, 
a* If it w«rr cnDlrartl^ri fivifi ff /n/f ; but }t 1« niA Kf>i ffoiir 
Ih tti4? KirAQin« wtffrJ^ aiitt Li n^cd by mII imit »trl (.rfwii«Hiid by 
M«i^inf^r bJiiiK-lf, In itiitn^> hiiitftrrvd i^^ccf, whiTX' ^v should 
n.itt mntr M.mi (pfinl r^ttff. 1 ifiijr intidrritally ubH'rvi: berc, 



If he be Staunch *, fuid hid dot for the stock 
Tbat we were borji to tm^e with ; th^ truth te, 
We cere not for his compmiy. 

Cffrk, Muabf, Cleom? [ammgeri ; 

Ol^mp. Sbe'a atudymg liow to entertain tbete 
And to eogroja them lo herwlf. 

Cteffl. No, Jiurely ; 
I will not chen^jeu any of their wuren. 
Till yoti bare miule your nurket ; you will huyi 
I know, at any j^.te. 

f urii, She hea giren it you» 

Ofttmp. No more ; they come : the first kiss for 
iliiii jeweL 

Fktttiik if tmmpetM, Enttr TiHACoi? a», LfoffniEvrsp 
AMrrui, l'iiioi.a]03i iti itiuck, hd in hvf AncnioAMLH, 
DieniLue, and Ci.Eii^, jdhtted b%} FisAhDE.B, 
U a AODti LO , C J M Bitio I a rul oihmMy 

Jrddd. l! in your aeet ; which, with a gi»nera] 
sufragei [Offkring him tA# if4ir t- 



Eli*t m^ay trrmi. wliich arr now nwcLwilli ■ itiiirit of #llitnfi.' 
tnd iiiip|iirt«^ Ui b^vi.' »ijtli rud *a ni*h]ii*ti^^l% «rv nrally md 
tabitaiiljally fwrri-el. In womr t'KHFfi, ibe liaxuD \trrt\ km* 
h*tQ cwni|]ltMl Jiitlu n emtiLKtflcBt i^ri of the Windij jind bi 
uibten, pi¥prwiii«iBt h»*t WfB «idcd in tli« fifMKfeM of 
tvAeriQent. fur thr lake id rniibuuj^i ur inrire ; boi, ^vtiemlly 
ipe^kla^, tlw ilmiile terra 1» Uk cum pit t« oue. 

* i/tw be vtamirb, ftc] I dfia'i tbiiik ibil ffawAfA rtn 
be i«n0e bn Ibb* piM^i^c; me tbuold prulMUy luut «/artfA'il, 
Ibat if yr9cim, fm^ni, M- W ***.?», 

TbU m ■ iln^nUr coujtciiine T^t the reader pernec ifBiii 
0\^ m jiia'i tk'"Ctipi|ay f wbfL^li It ibdi nf a euinplei^ lentbrtDan ^ 
4nd tJien *ay f«pbiit thrir li fif ttarrlitfd* foriiji«], ur pre>J*e, 
la II r jf^atiAf.% !■ «■ Ktmd « ^unl «i be cuald I iivr cbiMCJi. 
niicl I* bene uicril iu iti |irt»p^r *f ni« for nieady* nrm, tnll lif 
iiiiegrity : nm\ bi-r rjieiiiiln;^ if^ *' If wUb al^ tbr nt'contidii^J]- 
niiiil> pf a fitxk. £i-iul<d^fitjj|it. b« p>Wf^i»fi Ibe fi^v\\ priii^rijijirA 
of n rii«ti or boiftHir, ari4 dofi no), aiti iiijit lu 'Jtbmtcb t», be 
It iHit [or mar porpote/'^ 

Wj.rn I lATuU iliU, 1 bttd not i«en Ibr appciidSiif wbirb i* 
Mbjiiijiefl tu fufiii- (;iipH'*«$l ibe L4i»t eiiUJi»n. ftlri M- "hia^tm 
bn* iben; rrvlikHii bU inilvi aw) kU ifii bi^ m^iTv^ mattirc il onybr* 
on Tbe aabji^rt^ ** On ibe (lr«l eimtldf r«tliia of \\t\% |i«Mti|:r, 
I did not apprebifiid tbat ib« ^v^l ttatmch could ivapon luiy 
meauiaji; ibHi wrndtl* ri-ndrr U Init-LligJible, and I Uicnfore 
ar}]«iidr4 lb*- p4#?a{p by rcMltmi Mtarcn*d in^t^n*^ **f Hmiiu-h^ 
biu I bjive fjiice fiMinii a iimilar acrt^piaiioi) of rbm word In 
Jfni^tju'f ^ifmti* omaH. wbcrc TratwH m>« : " If yo«r mif 
tTv*9 Ittvt valouFp t^lk ui yonr »w<»nl> and bt fTc'qMFni In tbc 
iii^ntioit iif qnnm |p« ibwij^h you bt t^/iw*cA In ftu^btltif^." 
TbLa ii one oi ibc i.iMity tui^isnm ihai ni.iy be i^rtHlirctf^l iv 
prtive bow ^4^^p(^»ar> li t» ftir ibp editoir c»f any am If til dr*- 
niaEi« writer, to rvm i*llb itttL-niSrtiji ti+e other dr4iual{c 
priK^eciiouf of tber lU^ie.'' 

I piirtlcipiite in Mr. M. Miim»*9 •f-lfconfratnlaiioni im (kla 
impoitkni diNtfi^y^ry ; 414^1 ^^111 venrori! to tnitgeal anuibf.'r, 
Hill more inipvtiant, wbirh appeiira ta have ^ikM bi» nv 
iearcb^A ; li U ^|ni|i1y-^**' I be n«ciruiry for ibe editor c^r tttif 
andent draniniic wriic-r, to irad with «tietiti<ja"'lltal: drv* 
jnatle wH'er biiindr. 

itnt «hai, after rill, dmi Mr. M. Mmfon imagioe b^ lia> 
fouwl oaH aiHl nbiil k Uic »«n«e be wtmbl liiuilly alfiji to 
Mtaunch f tbcv arc tHne» br but umittni lo m^riii^^n- I <4d 
diKsMfer Doihin^ from Ui* bmii ooit, but tbat be mijiinder- 
tund« JoiifeciD iitiw, a» br iidi^undtr^tivvl lA^^\\i%et b4.Tutr. 
Encb of Wvtm freat pinia n*et tin- word in it» proiwr and 
ord)j|Jir>' %iKtiinti *'TboU|;h you tn- wtmam^h iu fiKbtinti^'^ <^*yi 
Tnacwii, (L «, reaUy braie, ancl rj>iiK'f|neniiy »«« proue lo 
haaatiinjj " yct^ to ple^ie your jni^trMij yoa iiinit taJIt of 
yifflar twotiJ/' H^, 

t f^f^rinff kSm tbe itatej fA* ttai* w»i • ratwd plAtftifflfli 
on wbicb w«* iitacfd ]i tbaJr wlib a canopy ovpr it. Thi- 
tionl occurs pcfpetumUy in onr obi urrilerK li i> a perl by 
Dry drn, bnt fcirni* tu Un'vv b«ii growiof obwlHe wbib: be 
waj wriiioit^ in tli« tirrt eilitjon of Mdcr FJefiin«>, ibe mo- 
narfh U pTacwl on a tfttff i In tbe ifib^pqaeiit om*, be i» 
•eafvd, like bit Miuw kioft, on a ibtoflif^ it t>ccujr» altotand 
I bdievc for tbe la#t Ibiii:, in Swift : "At tlu- aft^ettd not 
the unn-ileor of a «^«l# wiih n canopy, ihr tiitm|>bt ibere wat 
iKi otlfPCf in HM vibow chair/' ifiwL i\f Jahn UalU t< i^ 



' nmgi^bTite, Sicily tenders*, 
Tv> accept* 



To muv uiitl>iLiuu:» ol rule f or liUe«, 

\Vttos«> henv^n on t'ttrih h placed in liia commnnd. 

And nbsolute |>owftroW otjji'rs. would wirli joy. 

And venja swollen lii^li witti pride, be etitertalnM. 

1 hey Like not niw ; for I Jmve vv¥T lortK^ 

Aq i?<mkd fietdum, iind prcx'lnmi'd nil such 

A* would usurp on oiher'a lilwtrties^, 

I(cb<?ls to utilure. to wbo»»* bount«oui hlftasing* 

Ail men lay ihvu jis tnje leettifniite (^on* : 

iJiit such iw huvf mnde forfeit of th<*ni!»e!rcs 

Hv vicious couraps, and their birlhrisjhl loHt» 

**l*ia ucit iniu^rictr I hey «re niark'd for alavei* 

To si^TTv u>e rirtuoui. For myself, I know 

llauuurs imd |f^n*at erajdoyments are g;Teat burlUens, 

And niU8t require an AiUii to sup^jort ibcm* 

He ibiit would n^oveni other?;, iirat should be 

The mn.^er of hiniAetf^ richly endued 

With depth of utidfirrstiindui^, height of ^iiira|yf«. 

And those remarknblo graces which 1 dan not 

Asrnhe unlo myself* 

Archid. Sifj empty m^n 
Are trumpets of their own deserls ; but you. 
That are not in opinion, but iti proof. 
Really rood, and full of glorious parts, 
Leave liie report of what you are to hme ; 
Whicht Irom the ready toiiguvsj of all jood men. 
Aloud proclaim H you. 

Diph. Besides, ynu stand hound, 
Hnvinje: »o large a field to exercise 
> our active virtupa offer'd ynu, to impart 
Your ${irength to inch as need it* 

TimM, 'Tis confessM : 
And, since yuu'il have it so, guch ii* I iiiiii» 
For you, and for tJie liberty of (ireece, 
I am moat ready to lay down my life : 
But yH consider, m»:*a of Syracusa, 
liefor^ that jou deliver up the power. 
Which yi*t is yours» to mo, — to whom *tis gireii * 
To an impnrtiiil mnn, with whom nor threats. 
Nor iirayers, shall prevail § ; for I must steer 
An even course, 

A f chid. Which is desired of all. 

Tim(*t-. Timophanej*, my brother, for whose dentil 
I am tainted in the world ||, and foully taintoil ; 



[ri whoiw remetnbTance I have e?er worn. 
In |»race and war, tbij livery of aorrow. 
Can w*itne39 for me, how much 1 detest 
Tyrannotw usurpation ; with grrief 
I must remember it : for, when no yiersuaaion 
Could win him to desist from lua bad practice, 
To change the arii^tocracy of Corinth 
Into an abr^olute monarchy. 1 chose rfttlmr 
To prove a pious and obedient aou 
To my country, my bent mother*, Ihitn to lend 
Aasi^tance to Timophanca, though mv brother, 
That, like a tyrant^ strove to aet his foot 
Upon the city's fr«*etlom. 

Timag, *Tt\-arti a deeil 
Deserving niiher trophies than reproof*. 
f Lfpst. And will be j^tilt r«m«^mber«d toyourboiioar* 
If you for^ke not uv 

Dipfi. If you free Sicily 
From barbarona C»rthage' yoke,1 ^twill be said. 
In him you slew a t)'rant. 

A r chid. But, giving' wny 
To her invasion, not voocksafing u«* 
That fly to your protection, aid and comfort, 
'Twill be believed, tliat» for your private imds, 
^'ou kill'd a brother, 

Titnd. A* I then proceed, 
To all poMteriiy may that act be crowD*d 
With a deserved applause, or branded wtth 
71ie mark of infamy ! — Stay yet ; ere I tnlt* 
Tins seat of justice, or engaf^p mv*f'lf 
To fight for you abroad, or to reform 
'^'our state at home, swear all upon my a word, 
And call the j^ods of Sicily to witnesa 
The ontb vou take, that whatsoe'er 1 shaD 
Propound for i^afety of your common weullh^ 



tb« iilil rif(iU'> li»%« fttrr/y. Thr viueadwtioD, wjtich U a very 
liippy «m', w»» ni«(tv hy Ct^\f^v^r, 

Tit tm* amhitiAu* ^ ruU^ dtc*] MuMiof (*r hM h#r« fitu'ly 
rtrftwa ilic diai^itf i^r Iff TioioWtifl, nnit \utvn viry inn? tn his- 
Imry. Hi- wntdnccmlMl frnm oh* cif [be noUlvst fiiiMilkd in 
Coritith, btvetl his country p.iaaionatilv, a«mI iliM-fn iivtl u|K»t 
all offufclon* B t\n<i\iUt llnmnuh) of ttniiprr, excepi )i|;aioer 
tyntUt Mini hnA on-n. ftt- was no, vxcrllnu CJiplNin ; mut a* 
in hh >4«iirh in* liud nil the inqiurily of Uj^r, ii> agi- tn- iinil all 
ll#r niv Aiirt rouMiEe of itir om>%I .^nlrMl yt.Mith* Cotrraa, 

1 4t VHiufd ttmtfp oh oiln-t"» fUirrtirM] So ihc hrti iiimnu; 
(hv iM-vot)(1, i^hicli Ihr mttflini editor* fotluw', h««. nwtfhrr't 
l\bier\W%. Ill liic pn'ordioij lUu-, (*•♦ jtrnt^taSm'd, M*. M, 
Miuofj DfhiirAriiy ii<a*U, prm^htim: uri iitjiuliciMH* nluritltoii. 

i Xnfr f'i'nirrg .[inil pTtVUXl :] AVrr. wilidi lllc ItHXlctlfl 
Hiror* rtii ri urur •//(}//, It nt^JLhtr rt-qiiiri^d by 

ttitr »i-iiii» I {Omttuil |i» t^l. I8t3.) 

i' ^Ap *r'«rW, (Vr,( Tiiiioli-on hml «D tliltfi hr«' 

lilt r >pU.inr», vilitiRi Ivc ttfodf-ily lo^cd. n» tir Ii4«l 

«!'"" ^ < biUl«', \%\ wbl»l» lit oi'icrt'it tmn with hi* 

*,ivii| ill* Wtv iir ihr urrwl ilAo^rr of t)j§ owi>; tmr 

y wii* »iiU (b .irtr M liim. Thui l>rut!ir» ImviiiR 

I If »)r*ai i>f if, •*! bli4clc n criinv biiv« bitn the 

4t4i>K>L Atnicliitn- Hr fnAtJ« u»r of ntt fKi*»iMe mr«iie tfi 
bring lilm iMck lu hi* linty ; klndnr'Si fiicmialiip, aacclioot 



remunstrancrfi, aad even mrnac^. But, fladlng all bit ra- 

deavatim iiiefrcciniil, And IhnI uutliiai; c**\A»\ fitvvxlt Np»ii a 

liMtft #baDdi)ine[l lo ambitioti, he rflu 

KiM'i'iDiiti.d ill hi* prcsvijc^* [tio , H*>t 

ii-r lilt trit-^tiili Aud intitimref, nixt lli>' .' 

iitea>t>>u, the Ihhj* of aiiuiix' ouglil iu ^ivt pbct lu liiL'M .ji 

hi* coMtdrv. Cn^i.Tia. 

Covrtt-r tins copteil ^kth tafTictfat accwftcv, %\\v T. idin: 
Inula faf Tiimi|euii'» rhnr<iclrr, fnan Ihr '< 
rittUrcli't A<W4* With FUiUfch* imiced, 1 
It* be H frtvortrilfj 4ivd ohI Hiidr»*"rvi itK \ \ 
ifira, he w<i« ciniiiciilly cmif picti'irti : i' 
evi-r, U, that he pmaiecl tty i: x fieri* «i 
and Mvnu^t' t>otloi»u«in ofhU vonih ' 
mul rittionnl love ul lil>rtl)', Tlic i'- 
whicli m%i henfiyi tm hi§ lurul, Mii- 
vtioidd ikol oul>" (il IK riiilaichult 
UmUlite lin il»i If* bfil Ihe priiujjde Inuu wiucU n ^a ^ix c«4*, j 
firm «ad Imifioveiiibii ; in oidtr ihat uar couilHct may Im«i>' | 
till* tjirvciiofi uf our own » p prolyl ion. ' 
- It Ik uii|Mi»iiblc In ir»d « piUKV tif >> 
^ct'tii!; tliKi priidi^nrt^ wma thr virtat" ' > 
tui ii*ior : pro*lii:i«n ,ind purifiit* « 
Oirnlf ; part oi i^ like It tir iiiidoabtrdl) i.tti 
whlrli *if Uh4 I lie t1r«leriiy lt> turn lo M* «< 
not onl> ittdchlrU lo prctklencc for tiiiiic, 
hI»**\ since* «Ui-ii ho hjid f^ir^n vii-tor> 40^1 i^^c 
S>racutiiaii, tie \*iMl> »1rillti*'il femriOHc to Cn-*-**. 
pr()«>errptfoti or dt jiiiti pn^buibly dw^Kt'd liiiii : nuti <-<h< 
tpiMid th<! reinaiadir of hi» (U\» nt Syr-irfi**'. Thuaa^jl 
v^i'ie Ion(£ Mild hapm , *i»l whin h« dinl he wa» hoar^ 
wttb a pablic fntitTMi, jitul the leiui uf 4 pei>|ite whom I 
«avtil. 

• 7o wiy country, my te*! moitii r,1 In (his txpuftivn^ 
Tlit^oleoo iillnelr* to the r«*ndncl of hi* n«ttiral inmhrr, tibo I 
wonlit itf\cf lev 1dm MflTr thv iuiM«»iii»ili*>H of hi* UitidMtf | 
Jiod Hln>i«>« e^tjr d \i\>n frulrh'idam, impium^fue, 

AVinn httrtHtrmtJf Cttrthaar' ^uke, Ac,1 Thi* ^ 

frprirli iMr IktrmUy fmio rJiiurcb ; Maamiic<'[ ' 

niMnnec ndbcrcd aiorv cli»w ly in hi^ «bjry tb^n v 

crmfv*9 the truth, it cannot hv *4ii4 of bt#n,lltAt bit ltkt«M^ J 

j pUy* are ** rnoic 4ntbentic tban the chrutiicica I** 



Scene 111.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



95 



Not circumscribed or bound in, BhaU by yon 
Be willingly obey'd. 

Arch'uL Dipfu Clean, 80 may we prosper. 
As we obey in all tbinfj^. 

Timag. Leott, A tot. And observe 
AH your commands as oracles ! 

TimoL Do not repent it. [Teilces the ttate, 

Olump. He ask'd not oar consent. 

Coris. He's a clown I warrant him. 

Olifmp, I offer'd myself twice, and yet the churl 
Would not salute me. 

Ccris. Let him kiss his dmm ! 
I'll save mv lips, I rest on it*. 

Olifmp, He thinks women 
Xo part of the republic. 

Corig, He shall 6nd 
We are a commonwealth. 

Cleo. The less your honour. 

TimoL First then a word or two, but without bit- 
terness. I 
(And yet mistake me not, I am no flatterer.) 
f 'on< emins^ your ill government of the state ; 
In which the greatest, noblest, and most rich, 
Stand, in the first file gnilty. 

Cieon. Ha ! how's this ? 

TimoL You have not, as good patrioU ahoiild do, 
studied 
The public good, but your particular ends ; 
Factious among yourselves, prefiuring such 
To ofilces and honours, as ne'er read 
The elements of saving policy ; 
But deeply skill'd in all the principles 
That usher to destniotioo. 

I.tott. Sharp. 

Timag, The better. 

TimoL Your senate-house, which used not to ad- 
A man, howerer^>pular, to stand [mit 

At the'helm of government, whose youth was not 
Made ^orioas by action ; whose experience, [sels, 
Crown d with gray hairs, gave warrant to his coun- 
Heafd and received with reverence, is now fiU'd 
With green heads, that determine of the state 
Over their cups, or when their sated lusts 
Afford them leisure ; or supplied by those 
Who, rising from base arte and sordid thrift,^ 
Are eminent for theirf wealth not for their wisdom : 
Which is the reason that to hold a place 
In council, which was once esteem'd an honour. 
And a reward (or virtue, hath quite lost 
Lustre and reputation, and is made 
A mercenary purchase. 

Timag, He speaks home. 

Lemt. And to the purpose. 

Timol, From whence proceeds 
That the treasure of the city is engross'd 
By a few private men, the public coffers 
Hollow with want ; and they, that will not spare 
One talent for the common good, to feed 
The pride and bravery of their wives, consume. 



* rii tare mjr lipt, I rvtt on It.] I am fixed, determined, 
00 it; « metaphor taken fh>m play, inhere the hi}ihe*t stake 
the parties were di^Kiaed to ventare, was called the rett. 
To appropriate thia term to any particular game, a* is some 
limes done, is extremely incorrect ; since it was anciently 
applied to cards, to dice, to bowls, in short to any amuse- 
ment of chance, where money was wagered, or, to n»c a 
phraw of the times, set np. 

f Are eminent for their wealih, noifor their wUdom :] I 
have inserted their from the invalnaUc first quarto: it 
strengthens aad eompleies the verse. 



In plate, and jewels, and superfluous slaves, 
What would maintain an army. 

Coris. Have at um ! 

Oljfmp. We thought we were forgot. 

Clio. But it appears 
You will be treated of. 

TimoL Yet, in this plenty, 
And fat of peace, your young men ne*er were train'd 
In martial discipline ; and your ships unrigg'd. 
Rot in the harbour : no defence prepared. 
But thought unuseful ; as if that the gods, 
Indulgent to your sloth, had granted yon 
A perpetuity of pride and pleasure. 
No change fear'd or expected. Now vou find 
That Carthage, looking on your stupid sleeps. 
And dull security, was invited to 
Invade your territories. 

Arehid. You have made us see, sir, 
To our shame, the country's sickness : now, from you, 
As from a carefiil and a wise physician, 
We do expect the cure.' 

Timol. Old fester'd sores 
Must be lanced to the quick, and cauterized : 
Which bom with patience, after I'll apply 
Soft unguents. For the maintenance of the war, 
It is decreed all monies in the band 
Of private men, shall instantly be brought 
To the public treasury. 

Timag. This bites sore. 

Cleorit The cure 
Is worse than the disease ; I'll never yield to't : 
What could the enemy, though victorious, 
Infl ct more on us ? All that my youth hath toil'd for, 
Purchased with industry, and preserved with care. 
Forced from me in a moment ! 

Diph, This rough course 
Will never be allow 'd of. 

Timol O blind men ! 
If you refuse the first means that is offer'd 
To give you health, no hope's left to recover 
Your desperate sickness. Do you prize your muck 
Above your liberties ; and rather choose 
To be made bondmen, than to part with that 
To which already you are slaves ? Or can it 
Be probable in your flattering apprehensions, 
You can capitulate with the conqueror. 
And keep that yours which they come to possess. 
And, while you kneel in vain, will ravish from you ? 
— But take your own ways ; brood upon your gold, 
Sacrifice to your idol, and preserve 
The prey entire, and merit the report 
Of careful stewards ; yield a just account 
To your proud masters, who, with whips of iron. 
Will force you to give up what vou conceal. 
Or tear it from your throats : adorn your walla 
With Persian hangings wrought of gold and pearl ; 
Cover the floors on which they are to tread, 
With costly Median silks ; perfume the rooms 
With cassia and amber, where they are 
To feast and revel ; while, like servile grooms. 
You wait upon their trenchers ; feed their eyes 
With massy plate, until your cupboards crack 
With the weight that they sustain ; set forth your 
And daughters in as many varied shapes [wives 

As there are nations to provoke their lusts. 
And let them be embraced before your eyes. 
The object may content you ! and to perfect 
Their entertainment, offer up your sons. 
And able n^en, for slaves ; while you, that are 
Unfit for labour, are spum'd out to starve. 



96 



THE BONDMAN. 



fArr iJ 



Uiipjric»«t, in some tlp»ert, no fripnd by, 

Wliu^o Hurrow mny §]i(iTe one corapa&aioiiate %B»f, 

In tl)e rfnit^iiilininri^ of what otice you wer& 

7 imng. OhstTve how ohi Cleoo aliiik«»t, 
A« if iij pi it u 1*0 he Uad sliwnn him wJmt 
He wa* to itufTer. 

CtfHi. I am nick ; th^ mna 
BprakH poniards and diifsea^ies. 

Ohmp. O my doctor I 
I nevvT shall rpcovpr. 

C&ru [anninffftrrtmrflJ] ff a virjj^in, 
Whose speech wii!t f?vpr yet usher'd with fear ; 
One knowiujy mixlenly nnd htimhie silence 
I'o hi* thf choie**iH(T ornnnu'nt^ of our B4»x, 
In thi* presHm'e of so nmnv reverend men 
Struck dumb with terror ami ax-tiniishment, 
Pl^siimii^ to clothe laer tliought in vocal sounds. 
Let ht'r fiml pitfddn. Firsi tn you, g^rt^at sir, 
A bunhful raaid'^ thnnki^.Tind \wr zedouii |irHvera 
Wint^M with pure innorence, beiinng them to heaven. 
For all proaji-eritv that the gods can pre 
To nne w hose piVty must exact their care,^ 
Thus low I offi r. 

TitttoL ' rii* a happy omen, 
Riae, blosl one» and spRak boldly* On my virtue, 
I nm ihy viamint, from so clear a ipriiig 
Sw't?!*! rivprs pvi*r flow, 

Ctfru TIa*n» thus to vou» 
My noble father, and tbese lords, to whom 
I next ow*» duty : no rf*s[»pct forgotten 
To yoti, my brother, and tht*.**" bold youn^ men, 
(Such I w'ouhl hint* them,) tbiH nrp, or sliould bo, 
The city's Hword nnd tJinreT of deli^nce. 
To nil of you I »[>eQW ; and, if n bhish 
Steal on ujv chet^ks, it is ^hrmn to rt'iirore 
Your paleness, williuply I wrmld not wav, 
Your cowardict> or ftar : TJiuik you all trtm^ure 
Hid in the iHnvcdn of tlie «?«rlh, of shipwreck 'd 
In Ncptuue'i* wtu'ry kingdom, cim bold w<?ight, 
Wben liberty rmd honejur fill one achle, 
IViuniphant Justice mtiin^ on ih«* b«amt 
Or dare you but iiuAgine that your gold ia 
Too dear a salary for such as haxani 
Their blood and lives in your defence T For me. 
An Tirnorant ^irt^ ht^r witness, heaven! so fur 
1 prism a soldier, that, to j^ive him pay, 
With such detrotion as our tirtni«D8 ofier 
Their sacrifices nt ilie holv ultur, 
I do lay down iJiese jewi*ls, will make sate 
Of my superfluous wardroUi% to supply 
I he meanest of their wants. [jAi^it dtuvn her Jfnieft* 

TimoL Brave masculine spirit ! 

Difilt. We are shown, to our shame ^ what we tn 
Shouhl have taught oibers^ [bonour 

Arrhiti, Such a fair example 
Must needi he foUow'd, 

Timag. Ever my dear sister, 
But now our family's glory ! 

Ltftit, Were she deform *d, 
Tli« virtues of her mind would force a Stoic 
To suti to be her servant, 

Cietm, I mun yieUi ; 
And, ihouf^b my heart -blood port with it, I will 
DiOiver in my wealth. 

Amt. I would ii^y somethin}^ ; 
But. the tnitli is, J know not what, 

TisntiL VV'e have money ; 
And men roust now be thought oil 
Archid, We cna prf»a 



Of l»ihonrer<i in the country, men inured 
To rc>M iitid heat, ten thousand. 

Pifth, Or, if need be. 
Enrol our slaves, lusty and able varleta. 
And fit for service, 

Ci4Hm, Jljey ahal! po for nie j 
I witl not pay and fiKhtioa. 

C'lt0, How ! ymn slaves ? 

stain of honour !^ — Once more, sir, your pafdoo ', 
And, III thpir shumes, let me deliver wliat 

1 kjinw in justice you may speak. 

TimnL Most glndlf : 
I euuld not wish my thoughts a better orgma 
Than your tongue, to expreea them, 

Cietu Are yon men ! 
(For aipemuy qualify, though Dot excuAe^ 
The backwardness of the&e,) able )^ung men ! 
\'et, now your country's liberty** at the stuki*. 
llonouc nod glorious triumith mnde the garland* 
For tiuch an dare deserve tliem ; a rich feast 
Prepared by Victory, of immortal viands, 
N'ot for base men. but such aet with their swurds 
Dare force admittance, and will be hei grieats : 
And Clin you coldly siuffer such rewards 
To h*^ propoMni to Inbourem and slaves'! 
\\ bile you, tlmt are bom noble, to whom tli^e, 
\'olued at their best mte, are next to horaea. 
Or other beasts of carriage, cry aim f I 



* »/, now pimr cottntrp''M tibert^t at the sfaif, 

Hantmr tmd gturiou* trt»nti*h mmie thr ytirlnrtd ^ tf t. 
M, ^liiAuji lijm iiKjjinrv't'd \i\vu- Wuv*, lit Ii49 i«|iiiKefH^ t»> uffi<kr» 
tin^ the rtificlt' in ih** fir.t, *tH\ cltiHiittnt^ the In the Mrrufiit* 
JhtM 4« Thvme arv vcr) >ir3<ni;«- litHriiri to l«ke wtUi sn 
QUttioi, mpot] tnpiicf, ur tiliiid conjecture. 
f U hiif ^im — -cry »tin t 

IJi/e iditt lovkrrB ofi, C«»teter» who «^em» oot In li«w 
%mf\rtrUm6 ihe t kprvtstoh, giive ihif IncMmci rr«di»if of the 
•erund qu«rto, crfft Ay w^! wlikh, nfier nil, « > ' 

more rhnn qin nccldfikril di^iMmrliiifi of Ihr ln«t Vt' • 
Ml Ihr (irtM, Mr. M. ^t**iiri f.pllMWs him \n ih 
ob»en't'», ill ji tuiirt liiiU wr »h'nilil tvmi cry trrm. 
wa ^^fn\\i^ ut ir , Muit aat i% i« di>tinil9} given iti Ihr fti 
brit cii|ty. The fTspr^wiou \m ••> fonnPM»n lu th*- ms' 
MMviiiKcr'^A fiine, Jiitii, liidinf. i*i l^t • 
i(^ iliau mU lo jMy how it iimld •vrt 
j^lirn^r, ii* Wnrhiirtoii *.>ii»i'r*i'*, \fi 
A<c\ J I. 84t. iii. wn» Inkcii innH urcln • v ; 
i-|i,illL-iiiii-il Aitulher In »lioo( a\ lit*' hiiO*, tl" 
Itt M> »me lu IIh' Mthcr, Cry oiiw, i. iv nctn 
*Slct'ven» rpjecit ihl« f\pl»natioii, iwhkti, ui i.i. f, n i» 
irnth m*r pmhiihilit) to rccuiiiMHjuiJ ii ; Hfid ^iW^ : " U •c*ji« 
!•♦ hrtve tH-cii ihc uiriief of tbe aim-cryrT^ In -jtv.- \***t^*^m '"***,' 
archrr wttrM lir wmc wilhiii a pnn>*'r dUlii 
Ate, Hi'if ttdn nciilf crihc hni» MUeii, i^ i 
coi amen till I »r PI, In 1 11 itn irrnr. Mimt tt^r *•> ir 
Mud nut I'T^ «}iiM, wjs Mlw4y* jidilnr«*«^il l-^ M" v 
til «hool : It wa* Mil hMtUlno (jvct^injiijou i^f tht- i 
or, u» M«!ii»in|t4<r hiu lt» of the idle toftk^r' nn, u 
hit «MCwiir4ui'k"<^ni< ''"^ ''>«J mbliikc ot i^u < 
hh cotiltHiiidiii|£ cry tiim ' v(\ii\ }jij>e aim. 
lnvr Bilit'Jtdy tdwqr^cd. wJi* lu KNiotm&i:! 
to L>isi>:i'T, «iid In ihrw dUtlticI «tid (i|»|'> ' 
Word* peifH timlly occur* There wtt iio «' 
iTjjur, nt i«**ci (eel ittntvc ; the ttfinifif^t of rti< 
llh^iHhmt^<t Ut such of the •pecliilor* n« th»>M- ii< i ■ 
tliMt of ufifTClinw, iudi-eit, ll»rre w«» a *peci.il ^K!■f♦^'•' 
Tlioce wlsti ctlril ttim ' *t*Hid hy ihc mrcht r* ; he v<. 
wai itMhoiml tieur the htil|«^'<ind pointful out mi*! *^^^^ 
ii\>fhn*\iv, how vtikW, or how MjoiI, Ihr »fnfW IVU ul Itof 
murk. A f^i* e^nmplet will m^ikc hU ihi* vWrtr: 

" It ill tHcomc* ihis (»r«'*riirt lo crj aimt 

Tothr#e ill Inuetl rrpet(lioii»,*' KtmfJtkm* 

I. c. If* eiicuoriKe^ 

•• iVvlore \m frirr ploltlni* hi« i^vrn ibti-e. 
To whirli liitii%dl */*r*^ <if»» . 
Whilv the brwiifl wrrow with ihf forkwl ttead, 
MiMci bii tirvw* tmi tmrntwly." 

A A/ad tiortd mp Mt^uttm 
I e« ill reel*. 




SckMsIlL] 



THE BONDMAN. 



97 



Like idk lodhan on, tffl tlMir proud worth 
Make them heeooM your mestert I 

TimoL By mv hopes. 
There's fire ana spirit enough in this to mske 
Tbersites Tslitnt 

CIm. No ; (sr, fiur he it from jou : 
Let these of mesner quality contend 
Who can eodnre most labour ; plonrh the earth. 
And think they are'rewarded when tiieir sweat 
Brinn home a froitf ul hanrest to their lords ; 
Let tbem prore good artificers, and aenre yon 
For use and ornament, hat not pre«ame 
To touch at what is noble. If you think them 
Unworthy to taste of thoee cates you feed on. 
Or wear such costly garmenU, will you ^nrant them 
The privilege and prerogative of great mmds. 
Which yon were bom to? Honour won in war, 
And to be styled presenrers of their country. 
Are titles fit for nee end generous spirits. 
And not finr bondmen : had I been bom a man. 
And such ne'er-dying glories made the prise 
To hold heroic courage, by JDiana, 
I would not to my brother, nay, my ftther, 
Be bribed to part with the least piece of honour 
I should gain in this action ! 

TmtL Bhe's innnred. 
Or in her speaks the genius of your country. 
To fire your Uood in her defence ; I am rapt 
With tM imagination. Noble msid, 
Timoleon it your soldier, and will sweat 
Drops of his best blood, but he will brmg home 
Triumphant conouest to you. Let me wear 
Your colours, ItAj ; snd though youthful heats *, 
That look no further than your outward form. 
Are long since buried in me, while I lire, 
I am a constant lover of your mind, 
Thnt does transcend sll precedents. 



Cko. TiM sn honour. 
And so I do receive iL 

CcriM. Plsgue upon ii ! 
She has got Uie start of us: 
With envT at her fortane. 



[GiMi h§r scarf. 



I could even bunit 



I 



To the ▼keroy't base embraces, and cryaim I 
The 



While be by fMce," &c 



Remgado, 



Tbb way I toll io vain, and give bat aim 
To infkmy and rain ; he win f4ll, 
My bicMing cannot aUy him." The RoarUtg Girl. 
i. e. diract theeJ^ 

*■ — Standyng rather In hb window to~crye aiime! than 
belpync any waye to part the fTaye." 

Feoton'a TVagitai Diaeowwts. 
L e. to tocoarage. 

** I myaelr^aw aim thns,— Wide, roar bows ! short, tbrve 
•QdnhaU:'' Middletoe's J^oniak Cnwir. 
L •. dbvcted. 

I aboeid apolofiie ft»r the length of this note, were it not 
BC I lacier myaelf the distinct and appropriate meaning of 
•ae two phraaes to ascerulned in it, and finally esUbUshed. 
• iMmtwrnar 

Y9m ealmra. Imim: and thotigh yovthfbl heats, 
Thai laoft mo^artkir tkmm gtmr omiwardfonm. 
Art Im^ tbtet buried In me, wkUt t Hoe, 
/ am, *c] TUs to evidently copied from that orach con- 
tested speech or Othello, Act 1. sc UL : «' I therefore be^ it 
not," *c., as In the ftiUowing passage, in The Fair Maid t^ 

" Shall we take oer fortmief and while oar cold fathers, 
la whom kmg sioco their pomH^ heata were dead. 
Talk mneh of Man, serve nndcr Venas' ensigns. 
And seek a mtalreaa r 
AsmI as this shows how Sbakapeare's contemporaries ander- 
stood the Usee, U shoold, I think, with as, be dectoive of 
ihok B.eaalng. The Od reading, with the alteration of one 
• rby-- - ■ 



I I 1. c. 

I I M 



Olymp. A raw young thing ! [bands say, — 

We have too much tongue sometimes, our hus- 
And she outstrip us ! 

Leoit. I am for the journey. 

Timag, May all diseases s'loth and letchery bring. 
Fall upon him that stays at home ! 

Ardud. Though old, 
I will be there in person. 

DtpA. Sowilll.- 
Methiaks I am not what I was ; her words 
Have made me younger, by a score of years, 
llian I was when I came hither. 

Clean, 1 am still 
Old Cleon, (at and unwieldy ; I shall never 
Make a good soldier, and therefore desire 
To be excused at home. 

AmoL *Tia my suit too : 
1 am a gristle, and these spider fingers 
Will never bold a sword. Let us alone 
To rule the slaves at home ; 1 can so yerk them-— 
But in my conscience I shall never prove 
Good justice in the war. 

Tiniol. Have your desires ; 
You would be burthens to us, no way aids. 
Lead, fairest, to the temple ; first we^ll pay 
A sacrifice to the gods for good success : 
For all great actions the wish'd course do nm. 
That are, with their allowance, well begun. 

[Eieuntall but Piian. Grac, and Cimb, 

PUan, Stay, Cimbrio and Gracculo. 

Cimb, The business ? 

PUan, Meet me to-morrow nip^ht 
Neighbouring the east part of the city. 

Grae, Well. 

Pifan. And bring the rest of our condition^with 
IVe something to impart may break our fetters. 
If you dare second me. 

Ctmi. We'll not fiul. 

Grac. A cart-rope 
Shall not bind me at home. 

Puan, Think on't, and prosper. [Exeunt, 



[grove, 
near to the 

[you: 



-I therefore beg il not 



To please the palate of my appetite ; 

Nor to comply with heat, the yoang affects 

In me defanct, and pruper satisfaction," Ike 

The admirers of 8hakapcare cannot but recollect with 
dismay, the prodigious msM of nonjectaral criticism which 
Steevens has accamulaied on this passage, as well as the 
melanclioly presage with which it terminates; that, after all, 
" it will probably prove a latling sonrce of doobt and con- 
troversy/' I confess I see little occasion for either; nor can 
I well conceive why, after the rational and anforcetl expla- 
nation of Johnson, the worthleM rvveiiesof Theobald, Toilet, 
ice, were admitted.— it^ecfa occur inccMantly in the lenre 
of passions, affections : goung ajfecte is therefore perfectly 
synonimons with gout^/ut heate. Oibello, lilie Timoleou, 
was not an old man, though he had lost the fire of youth ; the 
critics might therefore have dismiued that concern for the 
Udy, which they have so delicately communicated for the 
edification of the rising generation. 

I have said thus much on the subject, because 1 observe, 
that the numeroas editions of Shakspeare now preparing, lay 
claim to patronage on the score of religiously following the 
text of Stcrvrns. I am not prepared to deny that this is the 
best which has hitherto appeared ; though I have no difficulty 
ill affirming that those will deserve well of the public, who 
shall bring back some readings which he has discarded, and 
reject othf ra which he ban adopted. In the present instance, 
for example, his text, besides being nnwarranted, and totally 
foreign from tlie meaning of his aathor, can scarcely be 
reconciled either to grammar or sense. 

I would wish tiie future editors of Shakspeare to coasldrr, 
whether he might not have given effect in tha singular (this 
also is used for passion), to correspond with heat ; and theu 
the lines may be thus regulated : 

" Nor to comply with heat, (the joang affect's 
In me deftonct,) and proper saUsfacuon.'' 

H 



98 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act IL 



ACT II. 



SCENE I. — The same, A Room in Archidamus^s 
House. 

Enter Archidamus, Timaooras, Leosthenes, tcith 
gorgets ; and Pisander. 

Archid, So, so, 'tis well : how do I look ? 

Pisan, Most sprightfully. [Vm old 

Archid. I shrink not in the shoulders ; though 
I'm tough, steel to the back ; I have not wasted 
My stock of strength in featherbeds : here's an arm 

too; 
There's stuff in't, and I hope will use a sword 
As well as any beardless boy of you all. 

Timag. I'm glad to see you, sir, so well prepared 
To endure the travail of the war. 

Archid. Go to, sirrah ! 
I shall endure, when some of you keep your cabins, 
For all your flaunting feathers ; nay, Leosthenes, 
You are welcome too •, all friends and fellows now. 

Leost. Your servant, sir. 

Archid. Pish ! leave these compliments. 
They stink in a soldier's mouth ; 1 could be merry. 
For, now my gown's off, farewell gravit}'t ! 
And must be bold to put a question to you, 
Without offence, 1 hope. 

Leost. Sir, what you please. 

Archid. And you will answer truly? 

Timag. On our words, sir. 

Archid. Go to, then ; I presume you will confess 
That you are two notorious whoremasters ; 
Nay, spare your blushing, I've bfen wild myself, 
A smack or so for physic does no harm ; 
Nay, it is physic, if used moderately : 
But to lie at rack and manger 

Leost. Say we grant this. 
For if we should deny't, you'll not believe us. 
What will you infer upon it ? 

Archid. What you'll groan for, [us, 

I fear, when you come to the test. Old stories teli 
There's a month call'd October |, which brings in 
Cold weather ; there are trenches too, 'tis rumour'd. 
In which to stand all night to the knees in water. 
In gallants breeds the toothach ; there's a sport too. 
Named lying pe due, do you mark me ! 'tis n game 
Which you must learn to play at ; now in these 
And choice variety of exercises, [seasons. 



-nay, iyfoathmest 



You are welcome too, 4cc.] It sbuuUl be remembered that 
ArchidamM U, with great jii(*^ment, repre»erited iu the 
first scene, m avcnw to the marriage of Leosthenes with his 
daughter. 

t J''or, now my govm's off, farewell gravity /] This is said 
to have been a frequent expression with the gicat but play- 
ful Sir Thomas More, who was never so happy as when he 
shook off the pomp of office. Fuller tells a sijnilar siory of 
Ix>rd Burleigh. 

X Old ttoriee tell m. 

There's a month called October, Ac] This pleasant old 
man forgets he Is talking of Sicily, where October is the 
most lelightfui month of the year. All our old poets loved 
and tbonght only of their country. Whatever region was 
the subject, England was the real theme : their habits, cus- 
toms, peculiarities, were all derived from thence. This, 
tbongh it must condemn them as historians, may save them 
as patriots! and, indeed, it is not much to be regretted that 
they shonkl overlook manners, with which they were very 
imperfectly acquainted, in favour of those with whli*h they 
were hourly conversant— at least, it would be uoj^rateful in 
us, who profit so much by their minute descriptions, to be 
offended at their disregard of what are quaintly called the 
costumL 



(Nay, I come to yon,) and fasts, not for devodon. 

Your rambling hunt-smock feels strange alteratioDs; 

And in a frosty morning looks as if 

He could with ease creep in a pottle-pot. 

Instead of his mistress' placket. - Then he curaes 

The time he spent in midnight visitations ; 

And finds what he superfluously parted with. 

To be reported good at length, and well breadi'd*. 

If but retrieved into his back again t, 

Would keep him warmer than a scaiiet waistcoat. 

Enter Difhilxtb and Cleoba. 

Or an armour lined with fur — O welcome ! wel- 
come! 
You have cut off my disooorse; but I wiU perfect 
My lecture in the camp. 

Diph. Come, we are stay'd for ; 
The general's afire for a remove. 
And longs to be in action. 

Archid. 'Tis my wish too. 
We must ptirt — nay, no tears, my best Cleoim ; 
I shall melt too, and that were ominous. 
Millions of blessings on thee ! All that's mine 
I give up to thy charge ; and, sirrah, look 

{To Pisamder. 
You with that care and reverence observe her, 
Which you would pay to me. A kiss; (areweU, 

Diph. Peace wait upon yon, fair one! 

\^Exeunt Archidamus, Diphiha, and Pimuider. 

Timag. 'Twere impertinence 
To wish you to be careful of your honour. 
That ever keep in pay a guard about you 
Of faithful virtues. Farewell : friend, I leave you 
To wipe our kisses off; I know that lovers 
Part with more circumstance and ceremony ; 
Which I give way to. [£nL 

Leost. 'Tis a noble favour. 
For which I ever owe you. We are alone ; 
But how I should begin, or in what language 
Speak the unwilling word of parting finnn you, 
I am yet to learn. 

Cleo. And still continue ignorant ; 
For I must be most cruel to myself. 
If I should teach you. 

Leost. Yet it must be spoken. 
Or you will chide my slackness. You have fired ma 
With the heat of noble action to deserve you ; 
And the least spark of honour that took life 
From your sweet breath, still fann'd by it and 
Must mount up in a glorious flame, or I [cberish'd. 
Am much unwortliy. 

Cleo. May it not bum here. 
And, as a seamark, serve to guide true lorera, 
Toss'd on the ocean of luxurious wishes. 
Safe from tlie rocks of lust, into the harbour 
Of pure affection 1 rising up an example 



* Tobe reported pood, at length, and well krmUk*4]ml 
length, which completes the verse. Is carelessly dropc ky 
both the editors. 

i If hut retrieved into his back agaim ] This /with the 
exception of But \f, for if but, which 1 am accoaniatile 
(ct) Is the reading of the second quarto ; the flnt qaalad) 
reads : 

*' But if retained into hU Uck again.'* 



J 



THE BOiNDMAN. 



99 



ftprtimes shall witness to onr glory, 
k from us beginning. 
'Tis a happiness 

to my country, and mine honour 
consent to ; besides, add to these, 
Dur pleasure, fortified by persuasion, 
ngth of reason, for the genera] good, 
hould go. 

^las ! I then was witty 
. against myself ; and mine eye, fix'd 
e hill of honour, ne'er descended 
into the vale of certain dangers, 
I which you were to cut your passage to it. 
Ill stay at home, then. 
N'o, that must not be ; 

senre my own ends, and to gain 
wreath myself, I rob you of 

1 triumph, which must fall upon you, 
ie*s tum'd a handmaid to blind Fortune, v^ 
my soul divided ! to confirm you 

pinion of the world, most worthy 
>loved (with me you're at the height, 

advance no further,) I must send you 
; the goddess of stem war, who, if 
you with my eyes, will ne'er return you, 
w enamour'd of you. 

Sweet, take comfort ! 
at I offer you, you must vouchsafe me, 

wretchea: all the dangers that 
counter in the war, are trifles ; 
nies abroad, to be contemn *d ; 
adfnl foes, that have the power to hurt me, 
It home with you. 
With me ? 

Nay, in you, 
r part about you, they are arm'd 

against me. 
Where? 

There's no perfection 
u are mistress of, but musters up 
1 against me, and all sworn 
lestruction. 
This is strange ! 

But true, sweet ; 
of love can work such miracles ! 
lis ivory forehead are intrench 'd 
usand rivals, and these suns command 
s from all the world, on pain to forfeit 
>mfortable beams ; these ruby lips, 
ixchequer to assure their pay ; 
3d, Sibylla's golden bough to guard them, 
i hell and horror, to the Elysian springs ; 
wholl not venture for ? ana, should I name 

the virtues of your mind invite, 
ambers would be infinite. 
Can you think 
« tempted ? 

You were never proved*. 

I have conversed with you no further 
ould become a brother. I ne'er tuned 
lotes to your chaste ears ; or brought rich 
artillery, to batter down [presents 

tress of your honour ; nor endeavour'd 
e your blood run high at solemn feasts 
ands that provoke ; the speeding philtres : 

t. You were never proved.] The whole of this 
eraiacnily beanti/al ; yet I cannot avoid recom- 
lo the reader's particnlar notice, the speech which 
Its rhythm is so perfect, that it droos on the ear 
iweetest melody. 



I work'd no bawds to tempt 3rou ; never practised 

The cunning and corrupting arts they study. 

That wander in the wild maze of desire ; 

Honest simplicity and truth were all 

The agents I emplojr'd ; and when I came 

To see vou, it was with that reirerence 

As I beoeld the altars of the |^ods : 

And love, that came along with me, was taught 

To leave his arrows and his torch behind, 

Quench'd in my fear to g^ve offence. 

Cleo. And 'twas 
That modesty that took me and preserves me. 
Like a fresh rose, in mine own natural sweetness , 
Which, sullied with the touch of impure hands, 
Loses both scent and beauty. 

Leoft, But, Cleora, 
When I am absent, as I must go from you 
(Such is the cruelty of my fate), and leave you, 
Unguarded, to the violent assaults 
Of loose temptations ; when the memory 
Of my so many years of love and service 
Is lost in other objects ; when you are courted 
By such as keep a catalogue of their conquests. 
Won upon creoulous virgins ; when nor father 
Is here to owe you, brother to advise you •, 
Nor your poor servant by, to keep such off. 
By lust instructed how to undermine. 
And blow your chastity up ; when your weak senies, 
At once assaulted, shall conspire against you. 
And play the traitors to your soul, your virtue ; 
How can you stand 1 'Faith, though you fall, and I 
The judge before whom you then stood accused, 
I should iicnuit you. 

CUo. Will you then confirm 
That love and jealousy, though of different natures, 
Must of necessity be twins ; the younger 
Created only to defeat the elder, 
And spoil Imn of his birthright t ? 'tis not well. 
But being to part, I will not chide, I will not ; 
Nor with one syllable or tear, express 
How deeply I am wounded with the arrows 
Of your dii^trust : but when that you shall hear. 
At your return, how I have borne myself, 
And what an austere penance I take on me. 
To satisfy your doubts ; when, like a vestal, 
I shew you, to your shame, the fire still burning. 
Committed to my charge by true affection, 
The people joining with you in the wonder ; 
When, by the glorious splendour of my sufferings. 
The prying eyes of jealousy are struck blind. 
The monster too that feeds on fears, e'en starved 
For want of seeming matter to accuse me ; 
Expect, Leosthenes, a sharp reproof 
From my just anger. 

Least. What will you do ? 

Cleo, Obey me. 
Or from this minute you are a stranger to me ; 
And do't without reply. All-seeing sun, 
'i hou witness of my innocence, thus I close 
Mine eyes against thy comfortable light. 




• when nor father 

1$ here to owe you, brother to advise yotL] Owe iafle reading 
of both the qnartos ; and is evidently right. The ^opertif of 
Cleora was in the father; this is diBtingoished ftom the 
only right the brother had :— fo advUe. The modern vJi- 
tor8,not comprehending this, sophisticate the text; and print— 

+ A^ndV^T^him qfhie birthriaht f] This is a happy 
allusion to the history of Jacob and Esan. It is.^e more 
so, for being void of all profaneness ; to whidW^D'!*^ 
Massingcr had no tendency. * j 

H 2 



J^ 



100 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act II. 



Till the return of this distnistfiil man ! 

Now bind them sure; — nay, do't: [He binds her 

eyes."] If» uncompell'd, 
I loose this knot, until the hands that made it 
Be pleased to untie it, may consuming plagues 
Fall heavy on me ! pray you guide me to your lips. 
This kiss, when you come back, shall be a virgin 
To bid you welcome ; nay, I have not done yet : 
I will continue dumb, and, you once gone. 
No accent shall come from me. Now to my chamber. 
My tomb, if you miscarry : there Til spend 
My hours in silent mourning, and thus much 
Shall be reported of me to my glory. 
And you confess it, whether I live or die, 
My chastity triumphs o'er your jealousy. lEieunt, 

SCENE IL~T^ tame. A Roam in Cleon's Houee. 
Enter Asoxus, driving in Gracculo. 

Asot. You slave ! you dog ! down, cur. 

Grae. Hold, good young master, 
For pitfa sake ! 

Aua, Now am I in my kingdom : — 
Who says I am not valiant ? 1 begin 
To frown again : quake, villain. 

Grac. So I do, sir ; 
Your looks are ag^es to me. 

AsoU Are they so, sir! 
'Slight, if I had them at this bay that flout me. 
And say I look like a sheep and an ass, I'd make them 
Feel that I am a lion. 

Grac. Do not roar, sir. 
As you are a valiant beast : but do you know 
Why you use me thus 1 

Asot. I'll beat thee a little more. 
Then study for a reason. O ! 1 have it : 
One brake a jest on me, and then I swore. 
Because I durst not strike him, when I came home 
That I would break thy head. 

Grac. Plague on his mirth* ! 
I'm sure I mourn for't. 

Asot. Remember too. I charge you. 
To teach my horse good manners ye'. ; this morning. 
As I rode to take the air, the untutor'd jade 
Threw me, and kick'd me. 

Grac. I thank him for't. [Aside. 

Asot. What's that ? 

Grac. I say, sir, I will teach him to hold his heels. 
If you will rule your fingers. 

AsoL I'll think upon't. 

Garc. I am bruised to jelly : better be a dog, 
Than slave to a fool or coward. [k^tJe. 

AsoL Here's my mother. 

Enter Cobisca and Zanthia. 

She is chastising tod: how brave we live, 

That have our uaves to beat, to keep us in breath 

When we want exercise 1 

Coris, Careless harlotry, [Striking her. 

Look to't ; if a curl fall, or wind or sun 
Take my complexion off, I will not leave 
One hair upon thine head. 

Grac Here's a second show 

• Grac. PUgne on hi§ mirth.] Thb is marked u a side 
•peech by the modern editors ; It is spolien, liovrever, to 
Atocus: and allodes to wliat he calls ujeat in tlie preceding 
line. It is wortli olwerviog, that the editor of the second 
qaarto freqaently varies the exclamations of the flmt, and 
always for the worse : thns Play^ t is Dnifurmly turned 
into P-^t Coxcter and Mr. M. Mason foUow him. 



f the faro ily of pride. [Ande. 
Coris. Fie on these wars ! 

I'm starved for want of action ; not a gamester left 

To keep a woman play. If tliis world last 

A little longer with us, ladies must study 

Some new-foimd mystery to cool one another ; 

We shall bum to cinders else. I have heard there 

have been 
Such arts in a long vacation ; would they were 
Reveal'd to me ! they have made my doctor too 
Physician to the ariny ; he was used 
To serve the turn at a pinch ; but I am now 
Quite unprovided. 

Asot. My mother-in-law is, sure. 
At her devotion. 

Coris. There are none but our slaves left. 
Nor are they to be trusted. Some greet women. 
Which I could name, in a dearth of visitants. 
Rather than be idle, have been glad to play 
At small game ; but I am so queasy-stomach'd. 
And from my youth have been so used to dainriaa, 

1 cannot taste such gross meat. Some that are 
Draw on their shoemakers, and take a fiiU [hungry 
From such as mend mats in their galleries ; 

Or when a tailor settles a petticoat on. 
Take measure of his bodkin ; fie upon't ! 
'Tis base ; for my part, I could ratner lie with 
A gallant's breeches, and conceive upon them. 
Than stoop so low. 

Asot. Fair madam, and my mother. [coiintnr, 

Coris. Leave the last out, it smells rank of toe 
And shews coarse breeding; your true courtier 

knows not 
His niece, or sister, from another woman, 
If she be apt and cunning. I could tempt now 
This fool, but he will be so long a working ! 
Then he's my husband's son : — the fitter to 
Supply his wants ; I have the way already, 
I'll try if it will take. When were you with 
Your mistress, fair Cleora 1 

Asot. Two days sithence ; 
But she's so cov, forsooth, that ere I can [for her, 
Speak a penn'd speech I have bought and studied 
Her woman calls her away. 

Coris. Here's a dull thing ! 
But better taught, I hope. Send off your man. 

Asot. Sirrah, be gone. 

Grae, I'his is the first good turn 
She ever did me. 

Coris. Well have a scene of mirth ; 
I must not have you shamed for want of pnctios. 
I stand here for Cleora, and, do you hear, minioo. 
That you may tell her what her woman should do, 
Repeat the lesson over that I tau|;ht yon. 
When my young lord came to visit me ; if joa miss 
In a syllable or posture—— 

Zant. I am perfect. 

Asot. Would I were so ! I fear I shall be oot. 

Coris. If you are. 111 help you in. Thus I walk 
You are to enter, and, as you pass by, [i 
Salute my woman ; — be but bold enough. 
You'll speed, I warrant jrou. Begim 

Asot. Have at it 

Save thee, sweet heart ! a kiss. 

Zant. Venus forbid, sir, 
I should presume to taste your honour *s lips 
Before my lady. 

Coris. This is well on both parts. 

Asot. How does thy lady ? 

Zant. Happy in your lordship. 



[EtiL 



ScFJfB UI.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



101 



yoa: 
lout. 



Ab oft as she tbinkt on yoa. 

Corit. Very rood ; 
lliU wench will lesrn in time. 

AioL Does she think of me 1 

ZanL O, sir ! and speaks the best of too ; admires 
Your wit, jour clothes, discourse ; and swears, but 

that 
Vou are not forward enough for a lord, you were 
The most complete and absolute man, — I'll shew 
Your lordship a secret. 

AsoL Not of thine ownl 

Zant. O ! no, sir, 
'Tis of my lady : but, upon your honour. 
You must conceal it. 

Atot. By all means. 

ZanL Sometimes 
I lie with my lady ; as the last night I did ; 
She could not say her prayers for thinking of yo 
Nay, she talk'd of you in her sleep, and sigh'd o 

5iMrt Atoha, ture thou art to backward. 
That I must ravish thet! and in that fervour 
She took me in her arms, threw me upon her, 
Ki«i*d me, and hugg*d me, and then waked, and wept. 
Because 'twas but a dream. 

Corit. This will bring him on. 
Or he's a block. A good girl 1 

Atat, I am mad. 
Till I am at it. 

Zamt Be not put off, sir. 
With, Away, I dart not ;^fie» you art immodest ; -^ 
Mtf brathir t up; — my father will htar^ — Shoot home. 
You cannot miss the mark. [sir, 

Atot. There's for thy counsel. 
This is the fiurest interlude, — ^if it prove earnest, 

1 shall wish I were a player. 

Corit. Now my turn comes. 
I am exceeding sick, pray you send my pa^e 
For young Asotns, I cannot live without hmi ; 
Pray htm to visit me ; yet, when he's present, 
I must be strange to him. 

AsoL Not so, }rou are caught : 
Lo, wh<mi yon wish ; behold Asotus here ! 

Corit, Yon wait well, minion ; shortly I shall not 
speak 
My thoughts in my private chamber, but they must 
Lie open to discovery. 

Atot, 'Slid, she's angry. 

Zami, No, no, air, she but seems so. To her again. 

AtoL Lady, I would descend to kiss your hand, 
But that 'ds gloved, and civet makes me sick ; 
And to presume to taste your lip's not safe, 
Yonr woman by. 

Corit, I hope she's no observer 
Of whom I grace. {Zanthia lookt on a book. 

Atot, She% at her book, O rare ! [Kisset Iter, 

Corit, A kiss for entertainment is sufficient ; 
Too much of one dish cloys me. 

Atet, I would serve in 
The second course ; but stOl I fear your woman. 

Corit, Yoa are very cautelous*. 

[ZanlAta teemt to titep. 



* Cork. I'm are werf caatdoas.] Thte word oneun con- 
tianally in tkm wenat of wary, nsplcioM, ovcr-circam- 
•prcc,*c. 

" This caanoC be Briaae, that worthy gentlemaii. 

"He it loo pradeBt. and too cauteloua: The Elder 
Brother; yet Mr. M. Maaon cbooMs to displace it for 



J which, boidet heieg a fiebier eaprewion, ha> the 
farther rccomoieadatlita, of ^pnUing the metre. I cannot 
avoid nljolBiagflhat Ihli, and the preceding teene, are most 



Atot. 'Slight, she's asleep 1 
Tis pity these instructions are not printed ; 
They would sell well to chambermaids. 'Tis no 

time now 
To play with my good fortune, and your £ivour ; 
Yet to be taken, as they say : — a scout, 
To give the signal when the enemy comes, 

IKrit Zanthia. 
Were now worth gold. — She's gone to watch. 
A waiter so train'd up were worth a million 
To a wanton city madam. 

Coris, You are g^wn conceited*. 

Atot. You teach me. Lady, now your cabinet — 

Coris, You speak as it were yours. 

Atot. When we are there, 
III shew you my best evidence. 

Corit. Hold ! you forget, 
I only play Cleore's part. 

Asot. No matter, 
Now we've beg^n, let's end the act. 

Coris. Forbear, sir j 
Your father's wife ! 

Asot. VVby, being his heir, I am bound. 
Since he can make no satisfaction to you. 
To see his debts paid 

Enter Zantria running, 

Zant. Madam, my lord ! 

Corit. Fall off; 
I must trifle with the time too ; hf>ll confound it 

Asot. Plague on his toothless chaps ! he cannot 
do't 
Himself, yet hinders such as have good stomachs. 

Enter Cl£On. 

Clean. Where are you, wife? I fain would go 
abroad, 
But cannot find my slaves that bear my litter ; 
I am tired. Your shoulder, son ; — ^nay, sweet, thy 

hand too ; 
A turn or two in the garden, and then to supper. 
And so to bed. 
ilMt. Never to rise, I hope, more. [Exeicnt. 



SCENE III.— i4 Grove near the Wallt of Syracuse. 
Enter Pisander and Poupdron, A Table, 

Pitan. 'Twill take, I warrant tliee. 

Poliph, You may do your pleasure ; 
But, in my judgment, better to make use of 
The present opportunity. 

Pitan. No more. 

Poliph, I am silenced. 

Pisan, More wine ; prithee drink hard, friend. 
And when we're hot, whatever I propound. 

Enter Cm brio, Graoculo, and other Slaves, 

Second with vehemence. Men of your words, all 

welcome ! 
Slaves use no ceremony ; sit down, here's a health. 

Poliph. Let it run round, fill evenr man his glass. 

Grae. We look for no waiters ; tnis is wine ! 



■candalontly given by both the editor* ; scarcely a alogle 
speech being withoat a misprint or an orolMlon. 

* Coris. You are grown conceited,] L e. facetiona, witty : 
so in Ram AUey or Merry Trteha, 1611. 

Throats. What brongbt yoo hither f 

Boat. Why, these small legs. 

Tkfroaie. Yoa are conceited, sir. 



10« 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act II. 



Pisan. The better, [us 

Strong, lusty wine : drink deep, this juice will make 
As free as our lords. [Drinks. 

Grac, But if tliey find we taste it. 
We are all damn'd to the quarry during life, 
Without hope of redemption. 

¥isan. Pish ! for that 
We'll talk anon : another rouse* ! we lose time ; 

[DHnU, 
When our low blood's wound up a little higher, 
111 offer my design *, nay, we are cold yet ; 
These glasses contain nothing :— 4o me right, 

[Tahes the battle. 
As e'er you hope for liberty. 'Tis done bravely ; 
How do you feel yourselves now ? 

Cimb, I begin 
To have strange conundrums in my head. 

Grac. And I [now, 

To loath base water : I would be hang*d in peace 
For one month of such holidays. 

Piaan, An age, boys, 
And yet defy the whip ; if you are men. 
Or dare believe you have souls. 

Cimb. We are no brokers. 

Grac, Nor whores, whose marks are out of their 
mouths, they have nonet ; 
They hardly can get salt enough to keep them 
From stinking above ground. 

Piaan, Our lords are no gods — 

Grac. They are devils to us, I am sure. 

Pitan. But subject to 
Cold, hunger, and diseases. 

Grac. In abundance. 
Your lord that feels no ach in his chine at twenty. 
Forfeits his privilege ; how should their surgeons 
Or ride on their footcloths ? [build else, 

Pitan. Equal Nature fashion^ us 
All in one mould. The bear serves not the bear. 
Nor the wolf the wolf; 'twas odds of strength in 

tyrants, 
That pluck'd the first link from the golden chain 
With which that Thing of Thivcs^ bound in the 

world. 
Why then, since we are taught, by their examples. 
To love our liberty, if not command, [ones ? 

Should the strong serve the weak, the fair, deform'd 
Or such as know the cause of things, pay tribute 
To ignorant fools? All's but the outwaid gloss, 
And jtolitick form, that does distinguish us. 
Cimbrio, thou art a strong man ; if, in place 
Of carrying burthens, thou hadst been train'd up 
In mardal discipline, thou might'st have proved 
A general, fit to lead and fight for Sicily, 
As fortunate as Timoleon. 

Cimb. A little fighting 
Will serve a general's turn. 

Piun, Thou, Gracculo, 
Hast fluency ot language, quick conceit ; . 
And, I think, cover'd with a senator's robe. 
Formally set on the bench, thou wouldst appear 
As brave a senator. 

Grac. Would I had lands, 

* amother ronte!] Another full glass, another bo in« 

per. See the Duke qf Miian. 

t Grac. Nor whoree,whoeemark» are out o/ their mouthet 
they have none;] Tkep have none; is omitted both by Coxe- 
ter and M. Mason. 

X Thai TuiMO OF Tbinos.] A literal translation, as Mr. 
M. Marin observes, of Ems Entium. I kuow not where 
Pisandtr acquired his revolutionary philosophy : his goklen 
chain, perhaps be found in Homer. 



Or money to buy a place ; and if I did not | 

Sleep on the bench with the drowsiest of them, play i 
with my chain, [and wear 

Look on my watch, when my guts chimed twelve, 
A state beard, with my barber's help, rank with , 
them I 

In their most choice peculiar gifts ; degrade me. 
And put me to drink water again, whidi, now 
I have tasted wine, were poison ! 

Piaan. 'Tis spoke nobly. 
And like a gownman : none of these, I think too. 
But would prove good burghers. 

Grac, Hum ! the fools are modest ; 
I know their insides : here's an ill-faced fellow, 
(But that will not be seen in a dark shop,) 
If he did not in a month learn to outswear, [man 
In the selling of his wares, the cunning'st trades- 
In Syracusa, I have no skill. Here's another. 
Observe but what a cozening look he has ! — 
Hold up tliy head, man ; if, for drawing gallants 
Into mortgages for commodities^, or cheating heirs 
With your new counterfeit gold thread, and giunm'd 

velvets. 
He does not transcend all that went before him. 
Call in his patent: pass the rest; they'll all make 
Sufilcient beccos, and with their brow-antlers 
Bear up the cap of maintenance. 

Piaan* Is't not pity, then. 
Men of such eminent virtues should be slaves! 

Cimb. Our fortune. 

Piaan, 'Tis your folly : daring men 
Command and make their fates. Say, at this instant, 
I mark'd you out a way to liberty ; 
Possess'd you of those blessings, our proud lords 
So long have surfeited in } and, what is sweetest. 
Arm you with power, by strong hsnd to revenge 
Your stripes, your unregarded toil, the pride. 
The insolence of such as tread upon 
Your patient sufferings ; fill your fionisb'd months 
With the fat and plenty of the land ; redeem yon 
From the dark vale of servitude, and seat you 
Upon a hill of happiness ; what would you do 
To purchase this, and morel 

Grac. Do ! any thing : 
To bum a church or two, and dance bj the light on't. 
Were but a May-game. 

Poliph. I have a father living ; 
But, if the cutting of his throat could work this, 
He should excuse me. 

Cimb. 'Slight ! I would cut mine own. 
Rather than miss it, so I might but have 
A taste on't, ere I die. 



• if* for drawing jfaUanie 

Into morti/oifee for cummudiiies, Arc] 1. c. tor warei* of | 
which the neudy borrower made wluit he eoald : ** FixU, 
hcr«'<i yuung master Rash ; lie's in for a com me ii tg of iMrowe I 
pxper nod old finger, ninescore and seventeen poasda; ttf | 
vthich he made Ave marks ready money:" meamere Jbr 
AJetture. This is ridicolons enough; and. Indeed, oar old 
writc'is are extremely pleasant on the heterofeacoea artldes* 
which the nsurers of their days forced oo the ' ocecMity of 
the thuaghtless spendthrift, in lieu of the nsooey for which 
hi> hud rashly signed. Fieldini( has imitated them in hit 
Aliger, without adding much to Uieir hnmoor : aad Fonip, 
in The Minor, has servilely followed his example. The 
spectators of those scenes probably thonght that the writen 
had gone beyond real life, and drawn on lnia|iBatleB far 
their amusement : but transactions (not altofeiher nropert 
perhaps, to be specified here) have actually taken pteee in 
our own times, which leave their boldest concepHons at 
an humble distance ; and prove, beyond a doobt, that la the 
arts of raisiog money, the invention of the moot fertile port 
must yield to that of the meanest acrivaaer. 



ScDfsU.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



103^ 



Putni, Be rMolute men, 
You shall run no such hasard, nor groan under 
Tke burthen of such cxying sins. 

Cimb, The means? 

Grac» I feel a woman's longing. 

Polipk, Do not torment us 
With expectation. 

Pitan. Thus, then : Our proud masters, 
And all the able fireemen otthe city. 
Are gone unto the frars 

Poliph, Observe but that. 

Pisan, Old men, and such as can make no resist- 
ance. 
Are only left at home 

Grac, And the proud young fool, 
My master : If this take, HI hamper him. 



Pita$u Their arsenal, their treasure, 's in our 
power. 
If we have hearts to seise them. If our lords fall 
In the present action, the whole country's ours : 
Say they return rictorious, we have means 
To keep the town against them : at the worst, 
To make our own conditions. Now, if you dare 
Fall on their daughters and their wives, break up 
Their iron chests, banquet on their rich beds, 
And carve yourselves of all delights and pleasure 
You have been barr*d from, with one roice cry with 
Liberty, liberty ! [me, 

AIL Liberty, liberty ! [dom : 

Piian, Go then, and take possession : use all free- 
But shed no blood. — So, this is well begun ; 
But not to be commended, till't be done. [Eivunt. 



ACT III. 



SCENE I. -^ The tame. A Roam in Abchidamus's 

ffoiiM. 

Enter Pisandbr and Timandra. 

Piean, Why, think you that I plot againstmyself *? 
Fear nothing, you are safe ; these thick-skinn'd slaves 
I use as instruments to serve my ends, 
Pierce not my deep designs ; nor shall they dare 
To lift an arm agamst you. 

Tamnd. With your wUL 
But turbulent spirits, raised beyond themselves 
With ease, are not so soon laid ; they oft prove 
Dangerous to him that call'd them up. 

Pimn. 'Tis true. 
In what is raahlv undertook. Long since 
I have considered seriously their natures. 
Proceeded widi mature advice, and know 
I hold their wills and ftculties in more awe 
Than I can do my own. Now, for their license 
And riot in the city, I can make 
A just defence ana use : it may appear too 
A politick ptevention of such Uls 
As mieht, with greater violence and danger. 
Hereafter be attempted ; though some smart for't. 
It matters not: — however, I'm resolved; 
And sleep yon with security. Holds Cleora 
Constant to her rash vow? 

Jtmamd. Beyond belief j 
To me, that see her hourly, it seems a fable. 
By signs I guess at her commands, and serve them 
With silence ; such her pleasure is, made known 
By holdiiig her fair hand thus. She eats little, 
Suepa less, as I imagine; onoe a day, 
I lead her to this gsUery, where she walks 
Soma half a doaen turns, and, having offer *d 
To her abaent saint a sacrifice of sighs. 
She points back to her prison. 

Pwau Guide her hiuier. 
And make her undentand the slaves' revolt ; 
And, with your utmost eloquence, enlarge 



• Piaaa. IFXr> 'MOr pm that J phi agahut mymtff] 
The pteC opens hero with wonderAil addreH, and the tao- 
cccdiiBg confcnoccv or nlhcr leene, bctwcca PiMiider and 
Cleora, b iklmHafalj bcaatifU. 



Their insolence, and rapes done in the city : 
Forget not too, I am their chief, and tell her 
You strongly think my extreme dotage on her. 
As I'm Manillo, caused this sudden uproar 
To make way to enjoy her. 

Timand. Punctually 
I will discharge my part. [£n/. 

Enier Poliphron. 

Poliph, O, sir, I sought you : [loose ; 

You've miss'd the best* sport ! Hell, I think's broke 
There's such variety of all disorders, 
As leaping, shouting, drinking, dancing, whoring. 
Among the slaves ; answer'd with crying, howling. 
By the citizens and their wives ; such a confusion. 
In a word, not to tire you, as, I think, 
The like was never read of. 

Pisan, I share in 
The pleasure, though I'm absent. This is some 
Revenge for my disgrace. 

Poliph. But, sir, I fear. 
If your authority restrain them not. 
They'll fire the city, or kill one another. 
They are so apt to outrage ; neither know I 
Whether you wish it, and came therefore to 
Acquaint you with so much. 

Pisan, I will among them ; 
But most not long be absent. 

Poliph. At your pleasure. ^Exeunt, 

SCENE II. — The same. Another Room in the same. 
Shouts within. Enter Cleora and Tim andra. 
Timand, They are at our gates : my heart ! affrights 
and horrors 
Increase each minute. No way left to save us. 
No flattering hope to comfort us, or means 
But miracle to redeem us from base Inst 
And lawless rapine ! Are there gods, yet suffer 
Such innocent sweetness to be made the spoil 



« You*tfe mimfd the beft nort f\ Beet, which is not in 
Coxcter, or M. Mbmu, i* only found In the first editk>n ; it 
wenu neceitary to the metre. 



104 



THE BONDMAN. 



(Aerni 



Of bratish appetite? or, since thej decree 
To ruin nature's masterpiece, of which | 

They have not left onejiattem, must they choose, i 
To set their tyranny off, slaves to pollute ' 

The spring of chastity, and poison it ' ' 

With their most loath'd embraces? and, of those. 
He, that should offer up his life to guard it, 
Marullo, curs'd Marullo, your own bondman, 
PurchasHl to serve you, and fed by your favours?— 
Nay, start not : it is he ; he, the grand coptain 
Of these libidinous beasls, that have not left 
One cruel act undone, tliat barbarous conquest 
Yet ever practised in a captive city. 
He, doting on your beauty, and to have fellows 
in his foul 8in. hath rais^ these mutinous slaves 
Who htive begun the game by violent rapes 
Upon the wives and daughters of their lords : 
And he, to quench the fire of his base lust, 
By force comes to enjov you :^-do not wring 
Vour innocent hands, tis bootless ; use the means 
That may preserve you. 'Tis no crime to break 
A vow when you are forced to it ; shew your face. 
And with the majesty of commanding beauty, 
Strike dead his loose' affections : if that fail. 
Give liberty to your tongue, and use entreaties; 
There cannot be a breast of flesh and blood. 
Or heart so made of flint, but must receive 
Impression from your words ; or eyes so stem. 
But, from the clear reflection of your tears. 
Must melt, and bear them company. W' ill vou not 
Do these good offices to yourself? poor I, tlien. 
Can only weep your fortune : — here he comes. 

Enter Pisander, speaking at the door, 

Pi$an, He that advances 
A foot beyond this, comes upon my dword : 
You have' had your wavs, disturb not mine. 

Timand, Speak gently. 
Her fears may kill her else. 

Piian. Now Love inspire me ! 
Still shall this canopy of envious night 
Obscure my suns of comfort? and those dainties 
Of purest white and red, which I take in at 
My greedy eyes, denied my famish *d senses? — 
The organs of your he^iring vet are oi>en ; 
And you infringe no vow, though you vouchsafe 
To give them warrant to convey unto 
Your understanding parts, the story of 
A tortured and despairing lover, whom 
Not fortune but afl'ection marks your slave :-— 
Shake not, b<^st lady ! for believe't, you are 
As far from danger as I am from force: 
All violence I shall offer, tends no further 
Than to relate m? sufferings, which I dare not 
Presume to do, till, by some gracious sign, 
You shew you are pleased to hear me. 

Timand. If you are. 
Hold forth your right hand. 

[Cleoru holds forth her right hand, 

Pisan, So, tis done ; and I 
With mv glad lips seal humbly on your foot. 
My sours thanks for the favour : I forbear 
To tell you who I am, what wealth, what honours 
I made exchange of, to become your servant : 
And, though I knew worthy Leosthenes 
(For sure he must be worthy, for whose love 
You have endured so much) to be my rival ; 
When rage and jealousy counseird me to kill him. 
Which then I could have done with much more ease, 
Than now, jb fear to grieve you, I dare speak it. 



Lore, seconded with duty, boldly told me 

The man I hated, fair Cleora favoor'd : 

And' that was bis protection. [Cisprs bmee. 

Timand, See, she bows 
Her head in sign of thankfulness. 

Pifan. He removed by 
The occssioii of the war, (my fins incrcssiDg 
By being closed and stopp'd up,) fnntie affection 
Prompted me to do something in his sbsenoe. 
That might deliver you into my power. 
Which you see is effected ; and, even now. 
When my rebellious passions chide my dulness. 
And tell me how much I abuse my fortunes. 
Now it is in my power to bear you hence, 

[CleormUmrt^ 
Or take my wishes here, (nay, fear not, madaa. 
True love s a servant, brutish lusts tyrant,) 
I dare not touch those viands that ne*er tastp well. 
But when they're freely offer'd : only thus much. 
Be pleased I may speak in my own dear cause. 
And think it worthy your consideration, 
( I have loved truly, cannot say deserved. 
Since duty must not take the name of merit,) 
That I so far prise your content, before 
All blessings that my hope can ftshion to me. 
That willingly 1 entertain despair. 
And, for your sake, embrace it : for I know. 
This opportunity lost, by no endeavour 
The like can be recover*d. To conclude 
Forget not that I lose myself to save you : 
For what can I expect but death and torture^ 
The war being ended? and, what is a task 
Would trouble Hercules to undertske^ 
I do deny you to myself, to give you, 
A pure unspotted present, to my rivsL 
I have said : If it aistaste not, best of virgins. 
Reward my temperance with some lawful favour. 
Though you contemn my peraon. 

[Cleora fcnee6, then pulh effher gUfte, amd 
offers her hand to Pitander, 

Timand, See, she kneels ; 
And seems to call upon the gods to pay 
The debt she owes your virtue : to perform which. 
As a sure pledge of friendship, she vouchsafes yon 
Her fair* right hand. 

Pisan, I am paid for all my sufferings. 
Now, when you please, pass to your private obaaaber , 
My love and duty, faithful guarda, ahall keep voa 
From all disturbance ; and when you are sstea 
With tbinking of Leosthenes, as a fee 
Due to my service, spare one aigh for me. 

[ Exeunt Cteara make* a tow ea ur tmy n tht 
goes off: 



SCENE llI^-^Ths tame, A Room in Cleon's Hmm. 



Enter Gractulo, leading Asorus in an €ipe*8 i 
with a chain about his neck ; Zakthia m Coubca*s 
clothes, she bearing up her train, 

Crac, Come on, sir. 

Asot, Oh ! 

Grac, Do you grumble ? jon were ever 
A brainless sss ; but, if this hold. 111 tesoh you 
To come sloft, snd do tricks like so spe. 
Your morning's lesson : if you miss— 

Asot, O no, sir. 



• Her filr right kemd.] I have lawrteA fimr Ami te 
Sr«t qv«rto : iIm subteqacut edllkmt dropl It. 



l-r^ 



ficBtvIII.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



105 



Grac WbatfortheCBitliBg^iiiiinit {Ataiui makes 

MflppM.] a rood beast*. 

Wliat for oiuMir, your lord T [XXmrtt.] Ezoeeding 

j wellf. [go. 

There's your xeward. Not kiss your paw ! So, so, 

Zant, Was erer ladj, the first day of her honour. 
So waited on ^^ a wrmlded crone 1 She looks now, 
Withoat her painting, curling, and perfumes. 
Like the last day of January ; and stinks worse 
Than a hot brache in the dogdays. Further offl 
So— stand there like an image ; if you stir. 
Tin, with a qaarter of a look, I call yon. 
You know wnat follows. 

Orris, O, what am I fiillen to ! 
But 'tis a punishment for my lust and pride. 
Justly retum'd upon me. 

Gne. How dost thou like 
Thy ladyship, Zanthia? 

ioHt. Very well -, and bear it 
With as mudi state as your lordship. 

Grae. Give me thy hand : 
Let us, like conquering Romans, walk in triumph t, 
Our captives following : then mount our tribunals. 
And make the alaTes our footstools. 

Zant, Fine, by Jove ! 
Are your hands clean, minion 1 

Cons, Yes, forsooth. 

2ant. Fall off then. [duties 

So, now come on ; and, having made your three 
Down, I ssy— are you stiff in the bams? — ^now kneel, 
And tie our shoe : now kiss it, and be happy^ 
p Grae, This is state, indeed. 

ZanU It is such as she taught me ; 
A tickling itch of greatness, your proud ladies 
Expect from their poor waiters : we have changed 

She does what she forced me to do in her reign. 
And I must practise it in mine. 

Grue, *Tis justice : 
O! he 



One What far tkt CarthoffMemsT [Aiotas makes 
. J».j For tUa word, which siKniflet that qnick and 
Crioainf moCioo of the teeth and lipt which apes make when 
tliejr mn Irritated, and which is fuand in both the copies, 
the nodera cdilofs, ia kindness to their readers, I suppose, 
have mmtiksr Indeed, they do not teem to have anderstood 
the kaoionr of this scene, which, io hoth, especially in Mr. 
M. M aaoo, b most nej;Ugeut]y printed. 

t fFhai /br amrselr jftmr lordf Here Asoetns roast be 
s«i»poeed to eonsr «l(^, I. e. to leap, or rather tnmble, in 
token or satiaCKtioo. Oar ancestors certainly excelled as 
in the adncalloo which they cave to Uieir aoianals. Banks's 

.. ^. swoasaed all that have been broacht ap in the 

. of Mr. Astley; and the apes of these days are 
clowns to their progenitors. The apes of Masainger's 
cUae were gifted with a pretty Hnattering of politics and 
phikMophy. The widww Wikl had one of them : *• He wookl 
emm tmtr fur all nqr Meada, bat was the dogged'st thins; 
to Mj enemies ; he woold sit npoa his Uil before them, and 
frowB Ifln John-a-aapes when the pope is named." The 
Pmrmm'a Wedttk^. Another may be found in Ram AUsg: 
** Men say yoaNw tricks ; remember, noble capuin. 
Ton akl^ when I shafl shake my whip. Now, sir. 
What can yon do for the great Tark f 
What can yoa do for the Pope of Rome f 
Lol "^ 

He stirreth aot, be moreth not, he waggeth not 
What casi yoa da for the town of Geneva, sirrah t 

f" Coftaim hMs ttp his handr Ste, 
tone. Ghmmsfh^hwtd: 

Lst tu, Uhs eoB^neriag Romans, watt la frfwrnp^] Grac- 
cnlo speaks la the spirit of prophecy ; for the confweriii^ 
i ? a w s tfa s were at thia tinw stragriing with their neighbours 
for a few mlaeraUc hntt to hide their beads in ; and If any 



of stoica btevti. 



Enter Cimbrio, Cleon, PoLipuaoN, and Oltm pia. 

Cimb, Discover to a drachma. 
Or I will famish thee. 

CUon. O ! I am pined already. 

Cimb. Hunger shall force thee to cut off the brawns 
From thy arms and thighs, then broil them on the 
For carbonadoes. [coals 

Polxph, Spare the old jade, he's foundered. 

Grae, Cut his throat then, 
And hang him out for a scarecrow. 

PoUph. You hare all your wishes 
In your revenge , and 1 have mine. You see 
I use no tyranny : when I was her slave. 
She kept me as a sinner, to lie at ber back 
In frosty nights, and fed me high with dainties. 
Which still she had in her belly again era morning , 
And in requital of those courtesies. 
Having made one another free, we are married ; 
And, if you wish us joy, join with us in 
A dance at our wedding. 

Gmc, Agreed ; for £ have thought of 
A most triumphant one, which shall express 
We are lords, and these our slaves. 

PoUph. But we shall want 
A woman. 

Grae, No, here'n Jane-of-apes shall serve • ; 
Carry your body swimming — Where's the music ? 

Poliph, I have placed it m yon window. 

Grae, Begin then sprightlv. 

(Muskt and then a dance. 

Enter Pisander behind, 

PoUjth, Well done on all aides I I have prepared s 
Let's drink and cool us. [banquet ; 

Grae, A good motion. 

Cimb. Wait here i 
You have been tired with feasting, learn to fast now. 

Grae, III hbve an apple for Jack, and may be 

May fall to your share. [some scraps 

[£r«unt Grae, Zant. Cimb, PoUph. and Olymp. 

Ccris, Whom can we accuse 
But ourselves, for what we suffer? Thou art just. 
Thou all-creating Power ! and misery 
Instructs me now, that yesterday acknowledged 
No deity beyond my lust and pride. 
There is a heaven above us, that looks down 
With the eyes of justice, upon such as numbei 
Those blessings freely g^ven, in the accumpt 
Of their poor merits ; else it could not be. 
Now miserable I, to please whose palate 
The elements were ransack'd, yet complain'd 
Of nature, as not liberal enough 
In her provision of rarities 
To sooth my taste, and pamper my proud flesh. 
Should wish in vain for bread. 

Clean. Yes, I do wish too. 
For what I fed my dogs with. 

Caris. I, that forgot 
I was made of flesh and blood, and thought the silk 
Spun by the diligent worm, out of their entrails. 
Too coarse to clothe me, and the softest down 
Too hard to sleep on ; that disdain'd to look 
On virtue bemg in rags, that stopp'd my noes 
At those that £d not use adulterate arts 
To better nature ; that from those that served me 
£xpected adoration, am made justly 



* Grae. No, hen^s Jane^of-apes shaU serve i] Meaning 
Corisca : be plays upon Jach-an-apes, the name he h4d 
given to Asotna. 



106 



IHK isONDMAN. 



[Act III. 



The scorn of my own bondwoman. 

Asat, I am pnniah'd, 
For seeking to cuckold mine own natural firther : 
Had I beeo gelded then, or used myself 
Like a man, I had not been transform'd, and forced 
To play an overgrown ape. 

Cieon, I know I cannot [both ; 

Last long, that's aU my comfort. Come , I forgive 
Tis in vain to be angry ; let us, therefore. 
Lament together like friends. 

Pisan. What a true mirror 
Were this sad spectacle for secure greatness ! 
Here the^, that never see themselves, but in 
The glass of servile flattery, might behold 
The weak foundation upon which they build 
Their trust in human frailty. Happy are those. 
That knowing, in their births, they are subject to 
Uncertain change, are still prepared, and arm*d 
For either fortune : a rare principle. 
And with much labour, learn 'd in wisdom's school ! 
For, as these bondmen, by their actions, shew 
That their prosperity, like too large a sail 
For their small bark of judgment, sinks them with 
A fore-right gale of liberty, ere they reach 
The port they long to touch at : so these wretches. 
Swollen with the talse opinion of their worth, 
And proud of blessings left them, not acquired ; 
That did believe they could with giant arms 
Fathom the earth, aud were above their fates. 
Those borrow 'd helps, that did support them, van- 

ish'd, 
Fall of themselves, and by unmanly sufTering, 
Betray their proper weakness , and make known 
Their boasted greatness was lent, not their own. 

Cteon, O for some meat ! they sit long, 

C<iru, We forgot. 
When we drew out intemperate feasts till midnight; 
Their hunger was not thought on, nor their watch- 

ings; 
Nor did we hold ourselves served to the height. 
But when we did exact and force their duties 
Beyond their strength and power. 

A$at. We pay for't now : 
I now could be content to have my head 
Broke with a rib of beef, or for a cotfin. 
Be buried in the dripping pan. 

Re-enter Polipmon, Cimbrio, Graccvlo, Zantuia, 
and Olympia, drunk and quarrelling, 

Cimh, Do not hold me: 
Not kiss the bride ! 
Poliph, No, sir. 

Cimb. She's common good. 
And so we'll use her. 

Crac, Well have nothing private. 

Pi$an. learning foruxird] Hold ! 

Zant, Here's Marullo. 

Olymp, He's your chief. 

Cin^, We are equals ; 
I will know no obedience. 

Grac. Nor superior — 
Nay, if you are lion-drunk, I will make one ; 
For lightly ever he that parts the fray. 
Goes away with the blows.* 

• Far lightly ever he that parts tbe/rap, 

Goet away with the blotCM.i Lightly ik commonly, usu- 
ally ; BO in 7%« New Inn : 

Beau. What iuBotcnt, hair-Tvltted thin^*, these are ; 

Lai. So are all smatterers. Insolent aud impudent ; 
They lightty go together. 



PiMfi. Art thou mad too 1 
No more, aa you respect me. 

Poiiph, I obey, sir. 

Pitan. Quarrel among yourselves ! 

Cimb. Yes, in our wine, sir. 
And for our wenches. 

Grac. How could we be lords else 1 

Pisan. Take heed ; I've news will cool this heat 
Remember what you were. [and make you 

Cimb. How! 

Pisan. Send off these, 
And then TU tell you. ^Zanthia beats Carisea. 

Olymp. This is tyranny. 
Now she offends not. 

ZanU 'Tis for exercise. 
And to help digestion. What is she good for else ? 
To me it was her language. 

Pisan. Lead her off. 
And take heed, madam minx, the wheel may turn. 
Go to your meat and rest ; and from this hour 
Remember he that is a lord to day. 
May be a slave tomorrow. 

Ckon. Good morality ! 

[Exeunt Clean, Asot. Zant. Olymp. and Coris. 

Cimb, But what would you impart ? 

Pisan. What must invite you 
To stand upon your guard, and leave your feasting ; 
Or but imagine what it is to be 
Most miserable, and rest assured you are so. 
Our masters are victorious. 

AU. How ! 

Pisan. Within 
A day's march of the city, flesh'd with spoi]. 
And proud of conquest ; the armado sunk ; 
The Carthaginiau admiral, hand to hand, 
Slain by Leosthenes. 

Cimb. I feel the whip 
Upon my back already. 

Grac, Every man 
Seek a convenient tree, and hang himself. 

Poliph. Better die once, than live an age, to aiiffer 
New tortures every hour. 

Cimb. Say, we submit. 
And yield us to their mercy 1~^ 

Pisan. Can you flatter 
Yourselves with such false hopes? Or dare rou think 
That your imperious lords, that never iail'd 
To punish with severity petty slips 
^ In your neglect of labour, may be won 
i To pardon those licentious outrages 
\ Which noble enemies forbear to practise 
lUpon tlie conquer'd ? What have you omitted. 
That may call on their just revenge with horror. 
And studied cruelty ? we have gone too far 
To think now of retiring ; in our courage. 
And daring*, lies our safety ; if you are not 
Slaves in your abject minds, as in 3rour fbrtiines. 
Since to die is the worst, better expose 
Our naked breasts to their keen swords, and sell 
Our lives with the most advantage, than to trust 
In a forestall'd remission, or yield up 
Our bodies to the furnace of weir frury; 
Thrice heated with revenge. 

Again, in The Fax : 

** I knew 'twould take ; 

For lightly^ they that use themselves moat license. 
Are still most Jealous." 
• ' in our courage. 

And daring, lies our eafeig ;] The oU coplca read inaimi : 
but It is an evident misprinL 



ScemeIV.] 



THE BONOB^AN 



107 



One. Yon led ns on. 

Cimb. And 'tU but justice you should bring us off. 

Grac. And we expect it. 

Pitan, Hear then and obey me ; 
And I will either ssre you, or fall with you : 
Man the walls strongly, and make good the ports ; 
Boldly deny their entrance, and rip up 
Your grieYances, and what compelled you to 
This {Operate course : if they disdain to hear 
Of composition, we have in our powers 
TlMnr aged fathers, children, and their wires. 
Who, to preserve themaelres, must willingly 
Mxke intercession for us. Tis not time now 
To talk, but do : a glorious end, or freedom. 
Is now proposed us ; stand resolved for either. 
And, UIdb good fellows, live or die together. 

SCENE IV.— 71W Cwnfry near Syracuse. The 
Camp if Timoleon. 

BmUr Leosthekis and Tulaooras. 

TIsMg. I am so iar from envy, I am proud 
You have outstripp*d me in the race of honour. 
O 'twas a glorious day, and bravely won ! 
Your bold performance gave such lustre to 
Tinu>leon*s wise directions, as the army 
Rests doubtful, to whom they stand most engaged 
For their so great success. 

Leoft. The gods first honoured, 
The glory be the general's ; 'tis &r from me 
To be his rivaL 

TUmag, Yon abuse your fortune. 
To entertain her choice snd gracious favours 
With a contracted brow ; plumed Victory 
Is truly painted with a cheerful look. 
Equally distant from proud insolence, 
And base d^ection. 

LeotL O Timagoras, 
You only are acquainted with the cause 
That loads my md heart with a hill of lead ; [nour 
Whose ponderous weight, neither my new-got ho- 
Assisted by the general applause 
The soldier crowns it with*, nor all war's glories 
Can lessen or remove : and would you please. 
With fit consideration, to remember 
How much I wrong'd Cleora's innocence 
With m3r nsh doubts ; and what a grievous penance 
She did impoee upon her tender sweetness. 
To pluck away the vulture jealousy. 
That led upon my liver ; you cannot blame me, 
But caD it a fit justice on myself, 
Thouffh I resolve to be a stranger to 
The uonght of mirth or pleasure. 

Tmag, You have redeemed 
The forfeit of your fault with such a ransom 
Of honourable action, as my sister 
Must of necessity confess her sufferings 

• 71hf toldkr erowM ii tri/A.] Thb ia a moch better 
rearfinc tli*p tbe topliiiticstkNi of tbe modem editors, the 



Weigh'd down by your fidr merits ; and, when she 

views you, 
Like a triumphant conqueror, carried through 
The streets of Sjrracusa, the glad people 
Pressing to meet you, and the senators 
Contending who shall heap most honours on you ; 
The oxen, crown'd with garlands, led before you. 
Appointed for the sacrifice ; and the altars 
Smoking with thankful incense to the gods : 
l*he soldiers chanting loud hynms to your praise. 
The windows fill*d with matrons and with virgins. 
Throwing upon your bead as you pass by. 
The choicest flowers, and silently mvolong 
The queen of love, with their particular vows. 
To be thought worthy of you ; can Cleora 
(Though, in the glass of self-love, she behold 
Her best deserts) but with all joy acknowledge. 
What she endured was but a noble trial 
You made of her affection ? and her anger. 
Rising from your too amorous cares*, soon drenched 
In Lethe, ana forgotten. 

LeotU If those glories 
You so set forth were mine, they might plead for me ; 
But I can lay no claim to the least honour 
Which you, with foul injustice, lavish from her 
Her beauty in me wrought a miracle. 
Taught me to aim at thugs beyond my power. 
Which her perfections purchased, and gave to me 
From her free bounties ; she inspired me with 
That valour which I dare not call mine own ; 
And, from the fair reflexion of her mind. 
My soul received the sparkling beams of courage. 
Slie, from the magazine of her proper goodness, 
Stock'd me with virtuous purposes ; sent me forth 
To trade for honour ; and, she being the owner 
Of the bark of my adventures, I must yield her 
A just account of all, as fits a factor. 
And, howsoever others think me happy. 
And cry aloud, I have made a prosperous voynge, 
One frown of her dislike at my return. 
Which, as a punishment for my fault, I look for. 
Strikes dead all comfort. 

Timag, Tush ! these fears are needless ; 
She cannot, must not, shall not, be so crueL 
A free confession of a fault wins pardon. 
But, being seconded by desert, commands it. 
Tbe general is your own, and, sure, my father 
Repents his harshness ; for myself, I am 
Ever your creature. — One day shall be happy 
In your triumph, and your marriage. 

Least, May it prove so. 
With her consent and pardon. 

Timag, Ever touching 
On that harsh string ! She is your own, and you 
Without disturbance seize on what's your due. 

[ExtunU 



* RimngJ^om four too amorout cares.] The <dd eople* 
read earn, which RceraB merely an error of the preat, for 
care*. Coxcter, however, pnnied it ear«, which, beinc 
without any meaning, was corrected at random by Mr. M. 
Maaoo into fean. The correction was not amias; bat the 
geanine word la owkmbtcdly that which I have givca. 



106 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act IV. 



ACT IV. 



SCENE I. — Syracuse. A Boom in Arcbidamus's 

Houte, 

Enter Pisandbr and Timakdra. 

PiMiu She has ber health, then T 

Timand. Yes, sir ; and as oflea 
As I speak of you, lends attentive ear 
To all that I deliver ; nor seems tired, 
Though I dwell long on the relation of 
Your sufferings for her, heaping praise on praise 
On your unequall'd temperance, and command 
You hold o'er your affections. 

Pisati. To my wish : 
Have you acquainted her with the defeature* 
Of the Carthaginians, and with what honours 
Leosthenes comes crown*d home with? 

Timand, With all care. 

Piian, And how does she receive it? 

Tinuind. As I guess. 
With a seeming kind of joy ; but yet appears not 
Transported, or proud of bis happy fortune. 
But when I tell her of the certain ruin 
You must encounter with at their arrival 
In Syracusa, and that death, with torments, 
Must fall upon you, which you yet repent not. 
Esteeming it a glorious martyrdom, 
And a reward of pure unspotted love, 
Preserved in the white robe of innocence, 
Though she were in your power ; and, still spurr'd on 
By insolent lust, you rather chose to suffer 
Tne fruit untasted, for whose glad possession 
You have call'd on the fury of your lord, 
Than that she should be grieved, or tainted in 
Her reputation 

Pitan, Doth it work compunction T 
Pities she my misfortune? 

Timand. She ezpress'd 
All signs of sorrow which, her vow observed. 
Could witness a grieved heart. At the first hearing. 
She fell upon her face, rent her fair hair, 
Her hands held up to heaven, and vented sighs. 
In which she silently seem'd to complain 
Of heaven's injustice. 

Pitan. *Tis enough : wait carefully. 
And, on all watch 'd occasions, contwue 
Speech and discourse of me : *tis time must work her. 

Timand, I'll not be wanting, but still strive to 
serve you. [Ext*. 

Enter Poliphron. 
PiMii. Now, Poliphron, the news ? 
Poliph, The conquering army 
Is within ken. 

Piian. How brook the slaves the object? 

Poliph. Cheerfully yet ; tliey do refuse no labour, 

* Have iroM aeqtiainied her with the dereatarc] The mo- 
dern editor* removed IbU word in favour of dtfeatt and, 
doabUrsa, applauded tbeir labour ; it bappens, bo%»ever, aa 
io moat c«sea where they have interpoaed, that they might 
have aoarcd It altofether : for the words are the Mme, and 
iiaed mdiacrimlnately by onr old writers : " Veqfaidep" 
days Colcrave, " a d^eat, or dtfeatwre ;" and, in the second 

Krt of ins dictionary, he verbally repeau the expUnatioo. 
lere Is mnch strange conjecture on this word, in the last 
act of The Comedy of Error*: I wonder that none of the 
coromeatatora shtiuld light upon its meaning ; ' 

too simple for tbeir apprehension. 



And seem to scoff at danger ; 'tis your presence 

That must confirm them : with a full consent 

You are chosen to relate the tyranny 

Of our proud masters ; and what you subscribe to. 

They gladly will allow of, or hold out 

To the last man. 

Pisan. I'll instantly among them. 
If we prove constant to ourselves, good fortune 
Will not, I hope, forsake us. 

Poliph. Tis our best refuge. [ExtunU 



I 



-but it waa 



SCENE l\.— Before the iniUf cf Syracuse. 

Enter Timoleon, A rchidam vs, Diph ilvs, Lbostb ekfs, 
TiMAOORAs. and eoUiert, 

Timol. Thus far we are retum'd victorious ; crown'd 
With wreaths triumphant, (famine, blood, and death. 
Banish *d your peaceful confines,) and bring home 
Security and peace. 'Tis therefore fit 
That such as boldly stood the shock of war. 
And with the dear expense of sweat and blood 
Have I'urcbased honour, should with pleasure resp 
The harvest of tlieir toil : and we stand bound 
Out of the first file of the best deservers. 
(I'hough all must be considered to their merits,) 
To think of you, Leosthenes, that stand. 
And worthily, most dear in our esteem. 
For your heroic valour. 

Archid. When I look on 
The labour of so many men and ages. 
This well-built city, not lone since design *d 
To spoil and rapine, by the favour of 
The gods, and you, their ministers, preserved, 
I cannot, in my height of joy, but oner 
These tears for a glad sacrifice. 

Diph, Sleep the citizens? 
Or are they overwhelm'd with the ezcett 
Of comfort that flows to them? 

Leoit. We receive 
A silent entertainment. 

Timag. I long since 
Expected that uie virgins and the matrons. 
The old men striving with their age, the priests. 
Carrying the images of their gods before them. 
Should nave met us with procession. — Ha! the gates 
Are shut against us! 

Archid. And upon the walls 
Arm'd men seem to defy us ! 

Enter above^ on the Walk, Pisawder, Pgupbhoii, 
CiMBRio, Gracculo, and the retU 

Diph. I should know 
These faces : they are our slaveoi 

Timag. The mystery, rascals ! 
0))en tlie poru, and play not with an anger 
That will consume you. 

TimoL 1 his is above wonder. 

Ardtid. Our bondmen stand against «s I 

Grae. Some such things [tvm*d 

We were in man's remembrance. The sbiTes are 
Lords of the town, or so — nay, be not angry : 
Perhaps, upon good terms, giving security 
You will be quiet men, we mi^ allow you 
Some lodgings in our garrets or oathousee: 
Your great looks cannot carry it. 



SCENS IL] 



THE BONDMAN. 



109 



Cimb. The truth is, 
WeVe been bold with your wives, tojr'd with your 
daughters 

LeotL O my prophetic soul ! 

Grac Rifled your chests, 
Been busy with your wardrobes. 

Timag. Can we endure this I 

Least, Omy Cleora! 

Grsc A caudle for the gentleman ; 
Hell die o' the pip else. 

Tvnag. Scorn d too! are yon tum*d stone? 
Hold p&rley with our bondmen ! force our entrance. 
Then, Tillains, expect 

Tiiiw^ Hold ! you wear men's shapes. 
And if, like men, you have reason, shew a cause 
That leads you to this desperate course, which must 
In your destruction. [end 

Orae. That, as please the fates ; 
But we Touchsafe Speak, captain. 

Timag, Hell and furies ! 

ArehuL Bay'd by our own curs I 

Cimb, Take heed you be not worried. 

Palij^ We are sbiarp set. 

Cimb. And sudden. 

Pitan, Briefly thus, then. 
Since I must speak for all ; your tyranny 
Drew us from our obedience. Happy those times 
When lords were styled fiuhers of families, 
And not imperious masters! when they number'd 
Their senrants almost eaual with their sons, 
Or one degree beneath tnem ! when their labours 
Were cherish'd and rewarded, and a period 
Set to their sufferings ; when they did not press 
Their duties or their wills beyond the power 
And strength of their performance! all things or- 
With such decorum as* wise lawmakers, [der'd 
From each well-gorem'd private house derived 
The perfect model of a commonwealth. 
Humanity then lodged in the hearts of men, 
«\nd thankful masters carefully provided 
For c r eat u re s wanting reason. The noble horse. 
That, in his fiery youth, from his wide nostrils 
Neigh'd courage to his rider, and brake through 
Groves of opposed pikes, bearing his lord 
Sefe to triumphant victory; old or wounded. 
Was set at liberty, and fn>«d from service. 
The Athenian mules, that from the quarry drew 
Marble, hew'd for the temples of the eods. 
The great work ended, were dismiss'd, and fed 
At tiM public cost ; nay, faithful dogs have found 
Their sepulchres ; but man, to man more cruel. 
Appoints no end to the sufferings of his slavo ; 
Smoe pride stepp*d in and riot, and o'ertum*d 
This goodly frune of concord, teaching masters 
To gloiy in the abuse of such as are 
Brought under tibeir command; who, g^wn un- 

uaefiil. 
Are less esteem*d than beasts. — This you have 

practised, 
Practised on us with rigour ; this hath forced us 
I'o shake our heavy yokes off; and, if redress 
Of these lust grievances be not granted us. 
Well right ourselves, and by strong hand defend 
What we are now possess'd of. 

Grae, And not leave 
One house unfired. 



* ff'Uh mtk iaemwm at wfsr Is is w e Jb g n.] A$t in ihU 
pusage, has the force of lAot. M. Masom. 
Or nalwr there ii aa alUpUs of tkaXt aa Qm«l. 



Cmh, Or throat uncut of those 
We hare in our power. 

PoUph, Nor will we fall alone ; 
You shall buy us dearly. 

Timag. O the gods ! 
Unheard-of insolence ! 

TimoL What are your demands ? 

Pisan. A general pardon* first, for all offences 
Committed in your absence. Liberty 
To all such as desire to make return 
Into their countries ; and, to those that stay, 
A competence of land freely allottisd 
To each man's proper use, no lord acknowledged ; 
lastly, with your consent, to choose them wives 
Out of your families. 

Timag, Let the city sink first. 

Leo$L And ruin seize on all, ere we subscribe 
To such conditions. 

Archid, Carthage, though victorious. 
Could not have forced more from us. 

Least. Scale the walls ; 
Capitulate after. 

TimoL He that wins the top first. 
Shall wear a mural wreath. [£i«unf. 

Pisan. Each to his place. [Flourish and alarms. f 

Or death or victory ' Charge mem home, and fear 

not. [Eieunt Pisander and Slaves. 

Re-enter Timoleon, Arcmidamus. and Senators. 

TimoL We wrong ourselves, and we are justlv 
punish'd. 
To deal with bondmen, as if we encounter'd 
An equal enemy. 

Ar^id. They fight like devils ; 
And run upon our swords, as if their breasts 
Were proof beyond their armour. 

Re-enter Leosthenes and Timagoras. 

Timag. Make a firm stand. 
The slaves, not satisfied they have beat us off. 
Prepare to sally forth. 

TimoL They are wild beasts, 
And to be tamed by policy. Each man take 
A tough whip in bis hand, such as you used 
To punish them with, as masters : m your looks 
Carry severity and awe ; 'twill fright them 
More than your weapons. Savage lions fly from X 
The sight of fire ; and these, that have forgut 
That duty you ne'er taught them with your swords. 
When, unexpected, they behold those terrors 
Advance d aloft, that tbey were made to shake at. 
Twill force them to remember what they are, 
And stoop to due obedience. 

Archid. Here they come. 

Enter f from the City, Cimbrio, Gbacculo, and other 
Slaves, 

Cimb. Leave not a man alive ; a wound's but a 
To what we suffer'd, being slaves. [flea-biting 

* Pisan. A general pardon, &c\ It is evident, m>m the 
unreasonable nalare of these demands, that Pisander doe* 
not wish them to be accepted. The last article, indeed, has 
a reference to himself, Imt he icems desiroos of previonsl> 
trying the fortune of arms. See, however, the next scene, 
and his defence, in the last act. 

* [FUntrUh and alarms.] Flonrish and arms, lays Mr. M. 
Mason, after Coxeler. No degree of nonsense coold tempt 
him to consult the old copies. 

X Savage lions fyfirom, Ac.) A transient passion 

for the antique has here seised the modern editors : they 
print salvage lions, &c It it nnlnclilly a little roal-4-pro. 
pofl, for the old copy reads as I have given iL (Omitted in 
j Ed. 1813). 



110 



THK BONDMAN. 



r Act IV, 



Grac. O, my heart ! 
Cimbrio, what do we see ? the whip ! oor moAtem* 1 

Ttmmg, Dare you rebel, slam ! 

[^The Senators thake their vokipi, the Slaves 
throw away their weapons, and run off. 

Cimb. Mercy ! mercy ! where 
Shall we hide us from their fiiiy ? 

Grac. Fly, they follow; 
O, we shall' be tormented ! 

TimoL Enter with them. 
But yet forbear to kill them: still remember 
They are part of your wealth ; and being disarmed. 
There is no danger. 

Archid, Let us first deliver 
Such as they have in fetters, and at leisure 
Determine of their punishment. 

Leost. Friend, to you 
I leave the disposition of what's mine : 
I cannot think I am safe without your sister, 
She is only worth my thought ; and, till I see 
What she has suffer*d, 1 am on the rack, 
And furies my tormentors. lExeunt, 



SCENE Xlh — Syracuse. A Room in Ascbidamuss 
House, 

Enter Pisander and Tim andra. 

Pisan. I know I am pursued ; nor would I fly. 
Although the ports were open, and a convoy 
Ready to bring me off: the baseness of 
lliese villains, from the pride of all my hopes, 
Hath thrown me to the botiomless abyss 
Of horror and despair : had they stood firm, 
1 could have bought Cleora*s free consent 
With the safety of her father's life, and brother's ; 
And forced Leosthenes to quit his daim. 
And kneel a suitor for me f. 

Timand. You must not think [tised. 

What might have been, but what must now be prac- 
And suddenly resolve. 

Pisan. All my poor fortunes 
Are at the stake, and I must run the hazard. 
Unseen, convey me to Cleora's chamber; 
For in her sight, if it were possdble, 
I would be apprehended : do not enquire 
The reason why, but help me. 

Timand. Make haste,— one knocks. [Exit Pisander, 
Jove turn all to the best ! 

Enter Leosthenes. 

You are welcome, sir, 
Leost. Thou giv'st it in a heavy tone. 

* Cimbrio, what do we me f the whip ! our maetert!] ** O 
raoet Ume and impotent conclu»iun !" Surely Mauingcr 
was not so strictly bound to the literal relation of this 
foolish adventure, but that h« might have g\\vn ii a little 
prr>bability, if it were only to maintain the decoram of his 
action, and the interest of bis uiider-plot. He sometimes 
deviates from his authorities with fewer prospecu of advan- 
tage than were here opened to him. 

t And hneel a tuitar for me.] This is the reading of all 
the old copies, and is undoubtedly genuine ; yet the modern 
cditore, by an obliquity of reasoning into which I cannot 
enter, choose to Tar>- the expression, and print, 
hneel a ntitor to me ! 

It it not evident " to any formal capacity," that Pisander 

means, If my designs had succeeded, 1 would not only 

have compelled Leosthenes to renounce his pretensions to 
Cleora, but even to entreat her father and brother to give 
her to me : what is there in this that requires alteration, 
especially into nonsense t for Leosthenes conld have nothing 
to ask of Pisander. 



Timand. Alas! sir. 
We have so long fed on the bread of sorrow. 
Drinking the bitter water of afBictioos, 
Made loathsome too by our continued fisare. 
Comfort's a stranger to us. 

Leott. Fears! your sufferings*:-^ 
For which I am so overgone with grief, 
I dare not ask, without compassionate tears. 
The villain's name that robb'd thee of thv boBOiir * 
For being train'd up in chastity's cold sdiool. 
And tsught by such a mistress as Cleora, 
'Twere impious in me to think Timandra 
Fell with her own consent. 

Timand, How-mean you, fell, sir? 
I understand you not. 

Leost. I wotild thou did'st i^ot. 
Or that I could not read upon thy face. 
In blushing characters, the story of 
Libidinous rape : confess it, for you stand not 
Accountable for a sin, against whose strength 
Your o'ermatch'd innocence eould make no resist* 
Under which odds, I know, Cleora fell too, [anue ; 
Heaven's help in vain invoked ; the anasfd sun 
Hiding his face behind a mask of clouds. 
Not daring to look on it ! In her sufferinga 
All sorrows comprehended : what Timaadni, 
Or the city, has endured, her loss oonsidar'd. 
Deserves not to be named. 

Timand. Pray you do not bring, air. 
In the chimeras of your jealous fears, 
New monsters to affright us. 

Leost. O, Timandra, 
That 1 had faith enough but to believe thee ! 
I should receive it with a joy beyond 
Assurance of Elysian shaties hereafter. 
Or all the blessings, in this life, a mother 
Could wish her children crown'd with ; — ^bot 1 must 
f 'redit impossibilities ; yet I strive [not 

To find out that whose Knowledge is a curse. 
And ignonmce a blessing. Cotne, discover 
What kind of look he had that forced thy lady, 
(Thy ravisher I will enouire at leisure,5 
That when, hereafter, 1 behold a stranger 
But near him in aspect, I may conclude, 
Though men and angels shotild proclaim him honest. 
He is a hell-bred villain. 

Timand. You are unworthy 
To know she is preserved, preserved untainted 
Sorrow, but ill bestow 'd, hath only made 
A rape upon her comforts in your absence. 
Come forth, dear madam. [Leiufctii dasra. 

Leost. Ha! [Kneek. 

Timand^ Nay, she deserves 
The bending of your heart ; that, to content yon. 
Has kept a vuw, tho breach of which a Vestal, 
Though the infringing it had call'd upon her 
A living funeral, t must offeree hnve shrunk sL 
No danger could compel her to dispense with 



* Leoat. Fears ! your eufferinf .— ] The chararter ot 
l<eo8thenet is everywhere preeerved with preat nicely. Hit 
Jealous disposition brcalis out in this sceac with pcoditf 
beauty, 
t Though the infringing U had caU'd upon her 
A living funeral. Sec] The poet alludes to the mammee \m 
which the Vestals, who had broken their vow of cliaMicy. 
were punislied. They had literally a liviitg fimermi, being 
plunged alive into a subterraneous cavern, of which the 



opening was immediately closed npi«n them, and walled ni 

The confusion of countries and of customs may poasiny 

strike the critical reader : but of this, a* I have dready ob- 



served, our old dramatisu were not aware or aolici to m. 



ScXNSni.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



Ill 



h 



Her cruel pemnce, though hot hrat came ami'd 
To aeiie vpon.faer ; when one look or accent 
Might hare redMai'd her. 

Leo$t. Blight! O do not shew me 
A heam of comfort, and straight take it iirom me. 
The means hy which she was freed? speak, O speak 

qoickly; 
£ach minute of delay's an age of torment ; 

speaks Timandra. 

Timand, Free her from her oath ; 
Herself can heat deliver it. 

Leon, O hlest office ! [Unbir»d»h$reyei. 

Never did galley-slaTe shake off his chains. 
Or look'd on his redemption from the oar. 
With such true feeling of delight as now 

1 find myself possessed ot — Now I heboid 
True light indeed ; for, since these iairest stars, 
Cover*d with clouds of your determinate will, 
Denied their influence to my optic stf^nse, 

The splendour of the sun appear'd to me 
But as some litUe ghmpse of his bright heams 
Conveyed into a dungeon, to remember 
The dark inhabitants there, how much they wanted*. 
Open these long-shut lips, and strike mine ears 
With music more harmonious thai* the spheres 
Yield in their heavenly motions : and if ever 
A true submission for a crime acknowledged, 
May find a gracious hearing, teach your tongue. 
In the first sweet articulato sounds it utters. 
To sign my wish'd-fbr pardon. 

CletK I forgive you. 

IaoA How greedily I receive this ! Stay, best lady. 
And let me hy degrees ascend the height 
Of human happiness ! all at once deliyer*d, 
The torrent of my joys will overwhelm me :— 
So now a little more ; and pray excuse me, 
If, like a wanton epicure, I desire 
The pleasant taste these cates of comfort yield me, 
Should not too soon be swallow'd. Have you not. 
By your unspotted truth I do coniure you 
To answer truly, suffered in your honour, 
By force. I mean, for in your will I free you, 
Smce I left Syracusa? 

CUo. I restore 
This kiss, so help me goodness ! which I borrow'd. 
When I last saw you f. 

Lsoft. Mirscle of virtue ! 
One pause more, I beseech you ; I am like 
A man whose vitsl spirits consumed and wasted 
With a long and tedious fever, unto whom 
Too much of a strong cordial, at once taken, 
Brings death, and not restores him. Yet I cannot 
Fix here ; but must enquire the man to whom 
I stand indebted for a benefit. 
Which to requite at fiiU, though in this hand 
I grasp all sceptres the world's empire bows to, 



Tht dark inkabitaiU* there, how much they vantedA 
In cki» mod besatiftal pasMge, remember is n»e(l inr cause 
to remenber, is which lense it frcqaently ocean id oar old 
writers. So Beumoot and Fletcher : 
•• Ose. Do you remember 
Her to come aAfcr yoo, that she may behold 
Her dan^ter's charity ."~7^ Sea f oyage. 
t Cleo. / retiere 

ThH kite, §» krip megoodnemt which I borrow*d. 
When i Uut eaw yoa.] Thb it a modest and a pretty 
imiutfcm of Slukspetre : 

** Now, by the Jeak>a« qneen of heaven, that kiss 
I carried from thee, dear ; and my true lip 
Hath virgia'd it e'er ^ee." — CerioUzmu. 



Would leave me a poor bankrupt. Name him, lady ; 

If of a mean estate. 111 gladly part with 

My utmost fortunes to him -, but if noble. 

In thankful duty study how to serve him ; 

Or if of higher rank, erect him altars, 

And as a jrod adore him. 

Cleo, It that goodness. 
And noble temperance, the queen of virtues. 
Bridling rebellioiu passions, to whose sway 
Such as have conquered nations have lived slaves. 
Did ever wing great minds to fly to heaven, 
He that preserved mine honour, may hope boldly 
To fill a seat among the gods, and shake off 
Our frail corruption. 

Leost. Forward. 

Cleo. Or if ever 
The powers above did mask in human shapes 
To teach mortality, not by cold precepts 
For^t as soon as' told, but by exampUs, 
To imitate their iiureness, and draw near 
To their celestial natures, I believe 
He*s more than man. 

LAMt. You do describe a wonder. 

CUo. Which will increase, when you shall under- 
lie was a lover. [stand 

I^eoit, Not yours, lady T 

Cleo. Yes; 
Loved me, Leosthenes ; nay more, so doted, 
(If e*er affections scorning gross desires 
May without wrong be styled so,) that he durst not 
With an immodest syllable or look. 
In fear it migiit take from me, whom he made 
The object of his better part, discover 
I was the saint he sued to. 

Least. A rare temper* ! 

Cleo, 1 cannot speak it to the worth : all praise 
I can bestow upon it will appear 
Envious detraction. Not to rack you further, 
Yet make the miracle full, though, of all men. 
He hated you, Leosthenes, as his rival ; 
So high yet he prized my content, that, knowing 
You were a man I favour'd, he disdain'd not, 
Againbt himself, to serve you. 

Leost Y'ou conceal still 
The owner of these excellencitts. 

Cleo. *Tis Marullo, 
My father's bondman. 

Leott. Ha, ha, ha ! 

Cleo. Why do you laugh ? [praise 

Leost. To hear the labouring mountain of your 
Deliver'd of a mouse. 

CUo. llie man deserves not 
This scorn 1 can assure you. 

Leost. Do you call 
What was his duty, merit? 

Cleo. Yes, and place it 
As high in my esteem, as ail the honours 
Descended from your ancestors, or the glory. 
Which you may call your own, got in tliis action, 
In which, I must confess, you have done nobly ; 
And I could add, as 1 desired, but tliat 
1 fear 'twould make you proud. 

Leost. Why, lady, can you 
Be won to give allowance, that your slave 
Should dare to love you ? 

Cleo. The immortal gods 



* A rare temper t] The old copies read tempter : corrected 
by Mr. M. Mason. 



lis 



THE BONDMAN. 



(Act IV, 



Accept the meanest altars*, that are raised 

By pure devotions ; and sometimes prefer 

An ounce of frankincense, honey or milk» 

Before wbole hecatombs, or Sabaean gums, 

Offer 'd in ostentation. — Are you sick 

Of your old disease ? 1*11 fit you. [Agide. 

Leott. You sef m moved. 

CUo. Zealous, I grant, in the defence of virtue. 
Why, good Leosthenes, though I endured 
A penance for your sake, above example ', 
I have not so far sold myself, 1 take it. 
To be at vour devotion, but I may 
Cherish desert in others, where I find it 
How would you tyrannise, if you stood possess'd of 
That which is only yours in expectation. 
That now prescribe such hard conditions to me ? 

Leost. One kiss, and I am silenced. 

CUo, I vouchsafe it ; 
Yet, I must tell you 'tis a favour that 
ManiUo, when I was his, not mine own, 
Durst not presume to ask : no : when the city 
Bow'd humbly to licentious rapes and lust. 
And when I was, of men and gods forsaken, 
Deliver*d to his power, he did not press me 
To g^race him with one look or syllable, 
Or urged the dispensation of an oath 
Made for your satisfaction : — the poor wretch, 
Having related only his own sufferings. 
And Inss'd my hand, which 1 could not deny him, 
Defending me from others, never since 
Solicited my fiivours. 

Leoit. Pray you, end ; 
The stoiy does not please me. 

CUo. Well, take heed 
Of doubts and fears ; — for know, Leosthenes, 
A greater injury cannot be offer 'd 
To innocent chastity, than unjust suspicion. 
I love Marullo*8 fair mind, not his person ; 
Let that secure you. And I here command you. 
If I have any power in you, to stand 
Between him and all punisbnt«>:;„, and oppose 

His temperance to his folly ; if you £ul 

No more ; I will not threaten. [E«f. 

Leott, What a bridge 
Of glass I walk upon, over a river 
Of certain ruin, mine own weighty fears 
Cracking what should support me ! and those helps. 
Which confidence lends to others, are from me 
Ravish'd by doubu, and wilful jealousy. [£a/t. 

SCENE JV.'^Another Room in the Same. 

Enter Timaooras, Cleon, Asotus, Corisca, and 

Olympia. 
CUon, But are you sure we are safe? 

• Cleo. The limmorial gode 

Accept the meaneet altare, 8ce.] MUioo's invocation on 
the opening of Paradiae Loat, ia not anlilee this. 

** And chiefly ihoa, O spirit," &e — CoxBTsa. 
I cannot discover iDQch likenete in the two qnotationi; 
the antbor had Horace in Mr thoughts : 
Jmmunie aram at tetioit manue, 
Non eumvtuoea bUmdior hoetia 
Mottirit avereoM penata 
Farre pUft ealiente mictt, 
A beantlmi paiaace, whicl» the criUca. with Dacier and Sana- 
don at their head, strangely maintain to be ironical. I 
believe that Horace was perfectly sincere. T»ie les«on» of 
piety are to cmisonant to human feelings that wry fre- 
onently those who do not experience their fnll infloence 
thi raselves, t •mesUy and honestly labour to impreaa ihem 
opo« oOiers 



Timag, You need not fear ; 
They are all under guard, their fangs pared off : 
The wounds their insolence gave yoo, to be cured 
With the balm of your revenge. 

Aeot. And shall I be 
The thing I was bom, my lord 7 

Timag. The same wise thing. [never 

'Slight, what a beast they have made thee ! AMe 
Produced the like. 

Aeot. 1 think so : — nor the land [wilnuu. 

Where apes and monkevs grow, like crabs and 
On the same tree. Not all the catalogue 
Of coniurers or wise women bound together 
Could have so soon transform'd me, as mj rascal 
Did with his whip ; for not in outside only. 
But in my own b«lief, I thought myself 
As perfect a baboon 

Timag, An ass thou wert ever. [heart 

Atot. And would have g^ven one leg, with aU my 
For good security to have been a man 
Af\er three lives, or one and twenty yean. 
Though I had died on crutches. 

CUon. Never varlets 
So triumphed o'er an old fat man : I was fiunish'd. 

Timag. Indeed you are fallen away. 

Atot, Three years of feeding 
On cullises snd jelly, though his cooks 
Lard all he eats with marrow, or his doctors 
Pour in his mouth restoratives as he sleeps. 
Will not recover him. 

Timag. But your ladyship looks 
Sad on the manor, aa if you had miss'd 
Your ten-crown amber possets, good to smooth 
The cutis, ss you call it, and prepare yoo. 
Active and high, for an afternoon s encouatBr 
With a rough gamester, on your couch. Fie oo'l ' 
You are grown thrifty, smell like other women ; 
The college of physicians have not sat. 
As they were used, in council, how to fill 
The crannies in your cheeks, or raise a rsmpirs 
With mummy, ceruses, or infants' fint. 
To keep off age and time. 

Com. Pray you, forbear ; 
I am an altered woman. 

Timag, So it seems ; 
A part of your honour's ruff stands out of rank too. 

Coiit. No matter, 1 have other thoughts. 

Timag. O strange ! 
Not ten days since it would have vex'd yoa 
I'han the loss of vour good name : pity, this 
For your proud itch came no sooner! Manr, 
Seems to bear up still. [OlyMpis 

Olymp. I complain not, sir ; 
1 have borne my fortune patiently. 

Timag, Thou wert ever 
An excellent bearer ; so is all your tribsi. 
If you may choose your carriage. 

Enter Leosthenes and Pxphilus wA m Gtmrdm 

Howi 
Looks our Cleora lovely T 

Leott, In my thoughts, sir. 

Timag. But why &is guard! 

Dipk, It is Timoleon's pleasu 
llie slaves have been examin'd, and confes s 
Their riot took beginning from your house ; 
And the first mover of them to rebellion 
Your slave Marullo. [Exeunt Diph, and Gm»d, 

Leott, Ha ! I more than fear. 

Timag, They may asareh bddlj. 



ScenbL] 



THE BONDMAN. 



113 



Enter TiVAifDRA, tpeaking to the Guard within, 

Timand* Yon are uniiuumdr'd grooms 
To pry into my lady's prirste lodgings ; 
Thm s no Msnillos there. 

Re-enter Diphilus, and Gvard with Pisandkb. 

Tbdm^. Now I suspect too : 
Where fonnd yon him ? 

Diph, Close bid in your sister's chamber. 

Tvmag. Is that the rillain's sanctuary ? 

Leoft. This confirms 
An she delirer'd, false. 

Tvnag. But that I scorn 
To rust my good sword* in thy slavisb blood, 
Thou now wert dead. 

Pitan. He's more a slave than fortune 
Or misery can make me, that insults 
Upon unweapon*d innocence. 

Tvnag. Prate you, dog ! 

Piasn. Curs snap at lions in the toil, whose looks 
Frighted them, being free. 

JtiM^. As a wild beast. 



Drive him before you. 

Pitan, O divine Cleora ! 

Leoet. I^ar'st thou presume to name her 1 I 

Pium, Yes, and love her ; 
And may say, have deserved her. 

Timag. Stop his mouth, 
Load him with irons too. 

[Exit Guard with Pitander. 

Cleon. I am deadly sick 
To look on him. 

A tot. If he get loose, I know it, 
I caper like an ape again : I feel 
The whip already. 

Timand. This goes to my lady. [Erit. 

Timag, Come, cheer you, sir ', well urge his pun- 
ishment 
To the full satisfaction of your anger. 

Least, He is not worth my thoughts. No comer 
left 
In all the spacious rooms of my vex'd heart. 
But is fill'd with Cleora, and the rape 
She has done upon her honour, with my wrong, 
The heavy burtiien of my sorrow's song. {^Exettnt, 



ACT V. 



SCENE L— 7%s 



A Ream in Archidamvs's 
Haute. 
Enter AncBiDAMVi and Clsora. 

Ankid, Thou art thine own disposer. Were his 
honours 
And glories centupled, aa I must confess, 
Leosuienes is most worthy, yet 1 will not, 
However I may counsel, force affection. 

Cleo, It neeos not, sir ; I prize him to his worth. 
Nay, love him truly ; yet would not live slaved 
To bis jealous humours : since, by the hopes of 

heaven. 
As I am free from violence, in a thought 
I am not guilty. 

Ar€kid, Tis believ'd, Cleora ; for't ! 

And much the rather, our great gods be praised 
In that I find, beyond my hopes, no sign 
Of riot in my house, but all things order'd, 
As if I had been present 

Cko. May that move you 
To pi^r poor Marullo 1 

ArAid. Tis my purpose 
To do him all the good I can, Cleora ; 
But this offence b«ng against the state, 
Must have a public trial. In the mean time. 
Be careful of yourself, and stand engaged 
No further to Leosthenes, than you may 
Come off with honour ; for, being once his wife. 
You are no more your own, nor mine, but must 
Resolve to serve, and suffer his commands. 
And not dispute them :— ere it be too late. 
Consider it duly. 1 must to the senate. [Erit. 

Cleo. I am much distracted ; in Leosthenes 
I can find nothing justly to accuse, 

* Ta met mif good jw w r rf , Ac] Gaod^ which completes 
the metre, is ooly fovnd in the first qoarto : Uie modern 
editors 16 low the tceuad, which aboonds in simiUr ouii«- 
siims, alfflosl beyond cndibUity. 



But his excess of love, which I have studied 

To cure with more than common means ; yet still 

It grows upon him. And, if I may call 

My sufferings merit*, I stand bound to think on 

ManiUo's dangers ; though I save his life. 

His love is unrewarded : — I confess, 

Both have deserved me, yet of force must be 

Unjust to one ; such is my destiny. 

Enter Timandra. 
How now ! whence flow these tears ? 

Timand, I have met, madam. 
An object of such cruelty, as would force 
A savage to compassion. 

Cleo, Speak, what is it ? 

Timand, Men pity beasts of rapine, if o'ermatch'd, 
Though baited for their pleasure ; but these mons- 
I'pon a man that can make no resistance, [ters, 

Are senseless in their tyranny. Let it be granted, 
INIarullo is a slave, he's still a man ; 
A capital offender, yet in justice 
Not to be tortured, till the judge pronounce 
His punishment. 

Cleo, Where is he ? 

Timand, Dragged to prison [spit on 

With more than barbarous violence ; spurn *d and 
By the insulting officers, his hands 
Pmion'd behind his back ; loaden with fetters : 
Yet, with a saint-like patience, he still offers 
His fttce to their rude buffets. 

CU», O my grieved soul ! 
By whose command ? 

• My eufferingt mnHt.] So it stood' in evcr>- edition pic- 
vioQs to thai or Mr. M. Mason, who reads, his wffer^ngt 
merit. It i» evident that he mistoolc the sense of the pas- 
sage. Three lines below, he reads, after Coxeter, indeed, 
vet of force 1 tnutt /^.— the pronoun, wliich destroys both 
the liiuasure and the rhyme, is not in the old copies : bat 
these are not the only errors in this short speech, which 
disgrace the modern editions. 

I 



114 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act V 



ji 



Timand. It seems, my lord your brother's. 
For he's a looker-on : and it takes from 
Honoured Leostbenes, to snffer it, 
For his respect to vou, whose name in rain 
The grieved wretch loudly calls on. 

Cteo. Bj Diana, 
'Tis base m both ; and to their teeth III tell them 
That I am wrong'd in*t. [Going ftrth. 

Timand, What will you do 1 

Cteo. In person 
Visit and comfort him. 

Timand. That will bring fuel 
To the jealous fires which bum too hot already 
In lord Leosthenes. 

Cieo, Let them consume him ! 
I am mistress of myself. Where cruelty reigns, 
There dwells nor love, nor honour. [Exit, 

Timand. So ! it works. 
Though hitherto I have run a desperate course 
To serve my brother's purposes : now 'tis fit 

Enter Leosthenes and Timaooras. 

I study mine own ends. They come : assist me 
In these my undertakings. Love's great patron, 
As my intents are honest ! 

Leoit. Tis my fault* : 
Distrust of otliers springs, Timagoras, 
From di£Sdence in ourselves : but I w^ill strive, 
With the assurance of my worth and merits. 
To kill this monster, jealousy. 

Timag, 'Tis a guest, 
In wisdom, never to be entertain'd 
On trivial probabilities ; but, when 
He does appear in pregnant proofs, not fashion'd 
By idle doubts and fears, to be received : 
They make their own horns that are too secure. 
As well as such as give them growth and being 
From mere imagination. Though I prize 
Cleora's honour equal with mine own, 
And know what large additions of power 
This match brings to our family, I prefer 
Our friendship, and your peace of mind, so far 
Above my own respects, or hers, that if 
She hold not her true value in the test, 
'Tis far from my ambition, for her cure 
That you should wound yourself. 

Timand, This argues for me. 



• Leoct. *Ti» my fanlt : 

JHttruMt qf others tpringt^ Timaaarat, 

From diffidence in oureelvet:] My fault, i. e. mv mis- 
fortune, lliat the word aucicutly had this meaning, I conld 
prove by many examples ; one, however, will be (bought 
tafiiciently decit^ive : 

" Bawd. You arc lit into my hands, where yon are like 
to live. 

Marina. The more my fault. 
To 'scape his hands, where I was like to die." 

Pericles, Act. IV. sc. iii. 
This too will ascertain, beyond a doubt, the meaning of 
Shallow, which Stcevcns evidently mistoolc. and Mr. Ma- 
lone delivered with some degree of hesitation : 

*' Slen. How does your fallow greyhound, air ? I heard 
say, he was out-run on Cotsale. 

Page. It could not be judg'd, sir. 

Sim. You'll not confess, you'll not confers. 

Shal. That he will not;— 'tis you r/a«//, 'tis youryiiii/f .— 
Tis a good dog." 

Poor Slender it one of Job's comforters, as they say ; he 
persists In reminding Page, who evidently dislikes the sub- 
ject, of his defeat: hence the good-natured consolation of 
Shallow: *' He needs not confess it, cousin; — you were un- 
fortunate, sir; your loss must b< attributed to accident, for 
your dog is a good dog." 



Timag, Why she should be ao pauionate for a 
bondman, 
Falls not in compass of my understanding, 
But for some nearer interest : or he raise 
This mutiny, if he loved her, as, you say. 
She does confess he did, but to enjoy. 
By fair or foul play, what he ventured for. 
To me's a riddle. 

Leo$i. Pray you, no more ; already 
I have answer d that objection, in my strong 
Assurance of her virtue. 

Timag. Tis unfit then. 
That I should press it further. 

Timand, Now I must 
Make in, or all is lost. [Ru An forward dkitratitdljf. 

Timag. W'hat would Timandra? 

Leo$U How wild she looks ! How is it with thy 

Timag. Collect thyself, and apeak. [lady? 

Timand. As you are noble, 
Have pity, or love piety *. — Oh I 

Leott. Take breath. 

Timag, Out with it boldy. 

Timand. O, the best of * 
I fear, is gone for ever. 

Leott Who, Cleora? 

Timag, Deliver, how ? 'Sdeath, be a man, air ! — 
Speak. 

Timand. Take it then in as many aighs as words. 
My lady 

Timag. What of her t 

Timand. No sooner heard 
MaruUo was imprison'd, but she fellj 
Into a deadly swoon. 

Timag. But she recover'd. 
Say so, or he will sink too ; hold, air ; fie ! 
This is unmanly. 

Timand. Brought again to lifit. 
But with much labour, she awhile stood silaiit. 
Yet in that interim vented sighs, as if 
I'hey labour 'd, from the prison of her flesh. 
To give her grieved soul freedom. On the snddeo. 
Transported on the wings of rage and sorrow. 
She Hew out of the house, and, unattended. 
Entered the common prison. 

Letat. This confirms 
What but before I fear'd. 

Timand. I'here you may find her; 
And, if you love her as a sister 

Timag, Damn her ! 

Ttmand. Or you respect her saCety as a lo^er. 
Procure Marullo's liberty. 

Timag, Impudence 
Beyond expression I 

Leoit. Shall I be a bawd 
To her lust, and my dishonour ? 

Timand, She'll run mad, else, 
Or do some violent act upon herself: 
My lord, her father, sensible of her safferinga. 
Labours to gain his freedom. 

Least. O, the devil ! 
Has she bewitch'd him too T 

Timag. Til hear no more. 
Come, sir, we'll follow her ; and if no persuasion 
Can make her take again her natural form. 
Which by lust's powerful spell she has cast oS, 
This sword shall disenchant her. 

* Have pity, or love piety. — ] So the old copies: th« 
modern editoi-s, here, as almost evei^where else, corrapl 
this last word, and feebly read, have pity, or Imw pity. 



SCKNB II.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



115 



J>ofl. O mj hecrt-strings ! 

[£xfuiit LeMthena and Timagorms, 
Tbmmd, I knew 'twould take. Pardon me, fair 
Cieora, 
Though I appear a traitraas ; which thou wilt do, 
In pity of my woes, when I make known 
My lawful claim, and only seek mine own. [Exit. 



SCENE Ild — A Priton. Pisandbr discovered in 
^utint, 

Enter Cleora and Gaoler. 



Stay, unhind bis 
[hands. 



CUo. There's for your privacy, 

GaoL I dare not, madam. 

Ciiso. I will huy thy danger : 
Take more gold : — do not trouble me with thanks, 
I do suppose it done. [Exit Gaoier, 

Piaan. My better angel 
Assumes this shape to comfort me, and wisely ; 
Since, from the choice of all celestial figures. 
He could not take a risible form so full 
Of glorious sweetness. [Kneelt. 

Cleo, Rise. I am flesh and blood. 
And do partake thy tortures. 

Pimn, Can it be. 
That charity should persuade you to descend 
So far from your own height, as to vouchsafe 
To look upon my sufferings ? How I bless 
My fetters now, and stand engaged to fortune 
For my captiri^ — no, my freedom, rather ! 
For who dare think that place a prison, which 
You sanctify with your presence? or believe, 
Sorrow has power to use her sting on him. 
That is in vour compassion arm'd, and made 
Impregnable, though tyranny raise at once 
All engines to assault himi 

Cko, Indeed virtue. 
With which yon have made evident proofs that you 
Are strongly fortified, cannot fidl, though shaken 
With the shock of fierce temptations: but still 
In spite of <^yposition. For myself, [triumphs 

I may endeavour to confirm your goodness, 
(A sare retreat, which never will deceive you,) 
And with unfeigned tears express my sorrow 
For what I cannot help. 

Pifsii. Do you weM> for me! 
0» save that pecious halm for nobler* uses : 
I am unworthy of the smallest drop. 
Which, in your prodigality of pitv. 
You throw away on me. Ten of these pearls 
Were a large ransom to redeem a kingdom [geance. 
Prom a oonsuminf^ pl^^e, or stop heaven^ ven- 
CalPd down by crying sms, though, at that instant. 
In dreadful flashes falling on the roofs 
Of bold blaaphemers. I am justly punish'd 
For my intent of violence to such pureness ; 
And ail the torments flesh is sensible of, 
A soft snd g^tle penance. 

Cleo. Which is ended 
In this your free confession. 

Enter LEOtraxNis and TiniooRAs behind. 

LeoH. \¥hat an object 
Have I encountered ! 



• O mve ikatprrdeaehaimjifr nobler ion:] Xobier i» 

the reediDf of the Ant qurto, ind b evidently right. 

, Coxttcr sad Mr. M. M atoa, foDow the lecond, which bai 



Timag. I am blasted too : 
Yet hear a little further. 

Pimn, Could I expire now, [thus. 

These white and innocent hands closing my eyes 
Twere not to die, but in a heavenly dream 
To be transported, without the help of Charon, 
To the Elysian shades. You make me bold ; 
And, but to wish such happiness, I fear. 
May g^ve offence. 

CUo, No ; for believe it, Marullo, 
You've won so much upon me, that I know not 
That happiness in my gift, but you may challenge. 

Leoit. Are you yet satisfied 1 

Cleo, Nor can you wish 
But what my vows will second, though it were 
Your freedom first, and then in me full power 
To make a second tender of myself. 
And you receive the present By this kiss. 
From me a virgin bounty*, I will practise 
All arts for your deliverance ; and that purchased. 
In what concerns your further aims, I speak it. 

Do not despair, but hope 

[Timagara$ and Leosthetiet comefartcard. 

Timag, To have the hangman, 
When he is married to the cross, in scorn 
To say, Gods give you joy ! 

Leost. But look on me. 
And be not too indulgent to your folly ; 
And then, but that g^ef stops my speech, imagine 
What language I should use. 

Cleo. Against thyself. 
Thy malice cannot reach me. 

Timag, How? 

Cleo, No, brother. 
Though you join in the dialogue to accuse me : 
What 1 have done, I'll justify ; and these favours. 
Which, you presume, will taint me in my honour. 
Though jealousy use all her eyes to spy out 
One stain in my behaviour, or envv, 
As many tongues to wound it, shall appear 
My best perfections. For, to the world, 
I can in my defence allege such reasons. 
As my accusers shall stand dumb to hear them : 
When in his fetters this man's worth and virtues. 
But truly told, shall shame your boasted glories. 
Which U>rtune claims a share in. 

Timag.'' The base villain 
Shall never live to hear it. [Draws his sword. 

Cleo, Murder! help! 
Through me you shall pass to him. 

Enter Archidamus, Dipbilus, and Officers. 

Archid. What's the matter? 
On whom is your sword drawn ? Are you a judge ? 
Or else ambitious of the hangman's ofHce, 
Before it be design'd you ? You are bold, too ; 
Unhand my daughtej'. 

Leott. She's my valour's prize. [urge 

Archid, With her consent, not otherwise. You may 
Your title in the court ; if it prove good. 
Possess her freely. Guard him safely off too. 

Timag, You'll hear me, sir ? 

Archid, If you have aught to say. 
Deliver it in public ; all ahall find 
A just judge of Timoleon. 



• Bp thie ki»$. 

From me a virgin bounty,] Meaning, 1 prerame, to 
PiMUidcr ; for she had given one to Leosthenes before. 

I3 



116 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act V. 



Dipk. You must 
Of force now use your patience. 

[Exeunt all but Tinutgorus and Leosthenes, 

Timag, Venjreance rather! 
Whirlwinds of rage possess me : you are wrong'd 
Beyond a stoic suft'erance ; yet you stand 
As you were rooted. 

Least, I feel somethinf^ here, 
That boldly tells roe, all the love and service 
I pay Cleora is another's due, 
And therefore cannot prosper. 

Tirmig, Melancholy ; 
Which now you must not yield to. 

Least. 'Tis apparent : 
In fact your sister's innocent, however 
Changed by her violent will. 

Timag, If you believe so, 
Follow the chase still ; and in open court 
Plead your own interest : we shall find the judge 
Our friend, I fear not. 

Least, Something I shall say, 
But what 

Timag, Collect yourself as we walk thither. 

[Eieunt. 



SCENE llh-^-The Court of JusHee. 
£«ter TiaioLEON, Archidamus, Cleora, an^ Officers. 

Timal, Tis wonderous strange! nor can it fall 
The reach of my belief, a slave should be [within 
The owner of a temperance which this age 
Can hardly parallel in ireebom lords. 
Or kings proud of their purple. 

Archid, Tis most true ; 
And, though at first it did appear a fable. 
All circumstances meet to give it credit ; 
Which works so on me, that I am compelled 
To be a suitor, not to be denied. 
He may have equal hearing. 

Clea, Sir, you graced me 
With the title of your mistress* ; but my fortune 
Is so far distant from command, tliat I 
Lay by the power you gave me, and plead humbly 
For the preserver of my fame and honour. 
And pray you, sir, in charity believe. 
That since I had ability of speech. 
My tongue has been so much inured to truth, 
I know not how to lie. 

TimoL 111 rather doubt 
The oracles of the gods, than question what 
Your innocence delivers ; and, as far 
As justice and mine honour can give way. 
He shall have favour. Bring him in unbound: 

[Eieunt Officers, 
And though Leosthenes may challenge from me. 
For bis late worthy service, credit to 
All things he can allege in his own cause, 
Marullo, so, I think, you call his pame, 
Shall find I do reserve one ear for him. 



• C:«». Sir you graced me 

H'ith the title oj your tnistrru;] Thi» allades to the re- 
qneat in the tnt act, (hat he iiiieht be penniUcd to wear 
her colours, lu those ilnyi nf gallantry, I mean those of 
MuMin^cr, not certainly, thosrof TiinokoD,to wear a lady's 
colonrs, that la, a scarf, o. a riband, ralccn from her person, 
was to become htr authorised champion and servant. 



Enter Cleom, Asotus, Diphilus, Olympia, and 

CORISCA. 



To let in mercy. 
The right of thi 



Sit, and take your places ; 
lis fair virgin first determined. 
Your bondmen shall be censured*. 

Clean, With all rigour. 
We do expect. 

Coris. Temper 'd, I say, with mercy. 

Enter at one door, Leosthenfs and Timagoras ; at 
the other, Officers with FiSASDEStaud Timanora. 

Timol. Your hand, Leosthenes : I cannot doubt, 
You, that have been victorious in the war. 
Should, in a combat fought with words, come off 
But with assured triumph. 

Least, My deserts, sir, 
If, without arrogance, I may style them such, 
Arm me from doubt and fear. 

TimoL 'Tis nobly spoken. 
Nor be thou daunted (howsoe'er thy fortune 
Has mark'd thee out a slave) to speak thy merits : 
For virtue, though in rags, may challenge more 
Than vice, set off with all the trim of greatness. 

Pisan, I had rather fall under so just a judge. 
Than be acquitted by a man corrupt 
And partial in his censure. 

Archid. Note his language ; 
It relishes of better breeding than 
His present state dares promise. 

Tiimtl. I observe it. 
Place the fair lady in the midst, that both. 
Looking with covetous eyes upon the prize 
They are to plead for, may, from the rair objeeC, 
Teach Hermes eloquence. 

Least, Am I fallen so low ? 
My birth, my honour, and what's deiiest to me. 
My love, and witness of my love, my service. 
So undervalued, that I must contend 
With one, where my excess of glory must 
Make his overthrow a conauest? SliaU my fulnesa 
Supply defects in such a tning, that never 
Knew any thing but want and emptiness. 
Give him a name, and keep it such, from this 
Unequal competition % If my pride. 
Or any bold assurance of my worth. 
Has pluck'd this mountain of disgrace upon me, 
I am' justly punish 'd, and submit; but if 
I have been modest, and esteem'd myself 
More injured in the tribute of the praise. 
Which no desert of mine, prized by self-love. 
Ever exacted, may this cause and minute 
For ever be fogotten. I dwell long 
Upon mine anger, and now turn to you, 
Ungrateful fair one ; and, since you are such, 
'Tis lawful for me to proclaim myself. 
And what I have deserved. 

Cleo. Neglect and scorn 
From me, for this proud vaunt. 

Least, Vou nourish, lady, 
Your own dishonour in this harsh reply, 
And almost prove what some hold of your sex ; 
You are all made up of passion : for, if reason 
Or judgment could find entertainment with you. 



* Your bondmen shall be censured.] i. e. Jodf;cd. To 
prevent the necessity of recurriuf; to this word, abont whidi 
luore than siifticient has been written, it may be proper to 
observe, that onr ancestors o.«oti oeiuure precisely aa we now 
do judgment : sometimes for a quality of the mind, and 
souiclluies for a Judicial determination. 



SCENB III.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



117 



Or that Yoa would distingniah of the objects 

You look on, in a true glass, not seduced 

By the false light of your too violent will, 

1 should not need to plead for that which you 

With joy should offer. Is my high birth a blemish 1 

Or does my wealth, which all the vain expense 

Of women cannot waste, breed loathing in you ? 

The honours I can call mine own, thought scandals? 

Am I deformed, or, for my father's sins. 

Mulcted by nature? If you interpret these 

As crimes, 'tis fit I should yield up myself 

Most miserably guilty. But, perhaps, 

( Which yet I would not credit,) you have seen 

Hiis gallant pitch the bar, or bear a burthen 

Would crack the shoulders of a weaker bondman ; 

Or any other bouterous exercise. 

Assuring a strong back to satisfy 

Your loose desires, insatiate as the grave 

Cieo. You are foul-mouth 'd. 

ArdutL Ill-manner'd too. 

Lemt. 1 speak 
In the way of supposition, and entreat you. 
With all ue fervour of a constant lover. 
That you would free yourself from these aspersions. 
Or any imputation black-tongued slander 
Could throw on your unspotted virgin whiteness : 
To which there is no easier way, than by 
Vouchsafing him your favour, — ^him, to whom. 
Next to the general, and the gods and fautors*. 
The countrv owes her safety. 

Timag, Are yon stupid ? 
'Slight, leap into his arms, and there ask pardon — 
Oh ! vou expect your slave's reply ; no doubt 
We soaU have a fine oration : I will teach 
My soaniel to howl in sweeter language. 
And keep a better method. 

Ankid, You forget 
The dignity of the place. 

DyJk. Sueoce! 

TtmeL PTo Piwiu2er.] Speak boldly. 

Piwn. ^is your authority gives me a tongue, 
I Bhoold be dumb else ; and I am secure, 
I cannot clothe my thoughts, and iust defence. 
In such an abject phrase, but 'twill appear 
Equal, if not above my low condition. 
I need no bombast language, stolen from such 
As make nobility from prodigious terms 
The hearers understand not ; I bring with me 
No wealth to boast of; neither can I number 
Uncertain fortune's favours with my merits ; 
1 dare not force affection, or presume 
To censure her discretion, that looks on me 
As a weak man, and not her fancy's idol. 
How I have loved, and how much I have suffered. 
And with what pleasure undergone the burthen 
Of my ambitious hopes, (in aiming at 
The glad possession of a happiness. 
The abstract of all goodness in mankind 
Can at no part deserve,) with my confession 
Of mine own wants, is all that can plead for me. 
But if that pore desires, not blended with 



• Nexi'to the gmtral, ami the goia and fiintora,] So read 
Udk tlw inurtos: the modero editors not knowing what to 
make oT Mr §odM arndfaimton, (which, in the laugiiage of 
Ike aathor, mcsBi the fowmring gods), accommodate the 
tine lo ihdr own conceptions with woadroos facility, and 



Naxt to the gemerait 
Alasl far Mimayr. 



amitoikegoie. 



Foul thoughts, that, like a river, keeps his course, 
Retaining still the clearness of the spring 
From whence it took beginning, may be thought 
Worthy acceptance j then I dare rise up, 
And tell this gay man to his teeth, I never 
Durst doubt her constancy, that, like a rock, 
Beats off temptations, as that mocks the fury 
Of the proud waves ; nor, from my jealous fears. 
Question that goodness to which, as an altar 
Of all perfection, he that truly loved 
Should rather bring a sacrifice of service. 
Than raze it with the engines of suspicion : 
Of which, when he can wash an i£thiop white, 
Leosthenes may hope to free himself; 
But, till then, never. 

Timag, Bold, presumptuous villain ! 

Piian, I will go further, and make good upon him, 
I' the pride of all his honours, birth, and fortunes. 
He's more unworthy than myself. 

LeosU Thou liest. [decided, 

Timag. Confute him with a whip, and, the doubt 
Punish him with a halter. 

Pi$un. O the gods ! 
My ribs, though made of brass, cannot contain 
My heart, swollen big with rage. The lie ! — a' whip ! 
Let fury then disperse these clouds, in which 
I long have march'd disguised* ; [7%roiM off hU 
ditguite.'i that, when they know [horror 

Whom they have injured, they may faint with 
Of my revenge, which, wretched men, expect. 
As sure as fate, to suffer. 

LeosU Ha! Pisander! 

Timag. 'Tis the bold Theban ! 

Atot. There's no hope for me then : 
I thought I should have put in for a share. 
And borne Cleora from them both ; but now 
This stanger looks so terrible, that I dare not 
So much as look on her. 

Piian, Now as myself. 
Thy equal at thy best, Leosthenes. 
For you, Timagoras, praise heaven you were bom 
Cleora's brother, 'tis your safest armour. 
But I lose time, — The base lie cast upon me, 
I thus return : Thou art a perjured man. 
False, and perfidious, and hast made a tender 
Of luve and service to this lady, when 
Thy soul, if thou hast any, can bear witness. 
That thou wert not thine own : for proof of this. 
Look better on this virgin, and consider. 
This Persian shape laid by X, and she appearing 
In a Greekish dress, such as when first you saw her. 
If she resemble not Pisiinder*s sister. 
One caird Statilia ? 

Leost. 'Tis the same ! my guilt 
So chokes my spirits, I cannot deny 
My falsehood, nor excuse it, 

Pisan. This is she. 
To whom thou wert contracted : this the lady. 
That, when thou wert my prisoner, fairly taken 



* Let fury then ditperte these clouds in which 
I long have march'd disguised ;] The old copies read 
mask'd; bu( this »eeiiis su anworihy of the anlhor, that I 
have not scrupled to place the other word (march'd) in the 
text. I believe Mas*iiiger had the first i£neid in his 
thonghts. 

t This Persian shape taid Ay,] I. e. this Persian dress ; 
a term borrowed from the tiring-room ot the theatres. In 
the list of dramatis personse preftxe«l to the ^'irgin-Martgr, 
Harpax is said to be, ** an evil spirit, following Theopbilus 
in the shape (habit) of a secretary." 



118 



THE BONDMAN. 



[Act V. 



In the Spartan war, that beg^g'd thy liberty, 
And with it gave herself to thee, ungrateful ! 

Statu. No more, sir, I entreat you : I perceire 
True sorrow in his looks, and a consent 
To make me reparation in mine honour ; 
And then I am most happy. 

Pisau. The wrong done her 
Drew me from Thebes, with a full intent to kill thee : 
But this fair object met me in my fury. 
And quite disarmed me. Being denied to have her. 
By you, my lord Archidamus, and not able 
To live far fiora her ; love, the mistress of 
AH quaint devices, prompted me to treat 
With a friend of mine, who, as a pirate, sold me 
For a slave to you, my lord, and gave my sister 
As n present to Cleora. 

TimoL Strange meanders ! 

Pisan, There how I bare myself, needs no relation ; 
But, if so far descending from the height 
Of my then flourishing fortunes, to the lowest 
Condition of a man, to have means only 
To feed my eye with the sight of what I honour 'd ; 
The dangers too I underwent, the sufferings ; 
The clearness of my interest ; may deserve 
A noble recompense in your lawful favour ; 
Now 'tis apparent tliat Leosthenes 
Can claim no interest in you, you may please 
To think upon my service. 

Cleo, Sir, my want 
Of power to satisfy so great a debt, 
IVIakes me accuse my fortune : but if that 
Out of the bounty of your mind, you think 
A free surrender of myself full payment, 
1 gladly tender it. 

Archid, With my consent too, 
All injuries forgotten, 

Timag, I will study, 
In my future service, to deserve your favour. 
And good opinion. 

Leoit, Thus I gladly fee 
This advocate to plead for me. [Kiising Statilia, 

Pisan. You will find me 
An easy judge. When 1 have yielded reasons 
Of your bondmen's falling off from their obedience, 
Then after, as you please, determine of me. 
I found their natures apt to mutiny 
From your too cruel usage, and made trial 
How for they might be wrought on ; to instruct you 
To look with more prevention and care 
To what they may hereafter undertake 
Upon the like occasions. The hurt's little 
They have committed, nor was ever cure 
But with some pain effected. I confess. 
In hope to force a grant of foir Cleora, 
I urged them to defend the town against you : 
Nor had the terror of your whips, but that 
I was preparing for defence elsewhere. 
So soon got entrance* : in this I am guilty ; 
Now, as you please, your censure. 

TimoL Bring them in ; 
And, though you've given me power, I do entreat 
Such as have undergone their insolence. 
It may not be offensive though I study 



• j\or had the terror ^f your whipa, but that 

I UHU prrparing for d^'rnce efM^ohere, 

A'o toon got entrance :] 1 uiii pi a^ed with thi^', because it 
loukv MS if the author was tensiDle of the improbability of 
the circuiiiM«uce. It is), indeeti, the only detective part of 
this beautii'nl story. 



Pity, more than revenge. 

Cons, Twill best b^ome you. 

Cleoti. I must consent. 

Asot. For me, I'll find a time 
To be revenged hereafter. 

Enter Gracx:ulo, Cimbrio, Polipbhon, Zanthu, 
and the rest, with Italters about their necks. 

Grac, Give me leave ; 
111 speak for all. 

TimoL What canst thou say, to binder 
The course of justice? 

Grac, Nothing. — You may see 
We are prepared for hanging, and confess 
We have deserved it : our most humble suit is. 
We may not twice be executed. 

TimoL Tvt-ice! 
How mean'st thou 1 

Grac, At the gallows first, and after in a ballad 
Simg to some villanous tune. There are ten-grobt 

rhymers 
About the town, mwn fat on these occasions. 
Let but a. chapel fall, or a street be fired*, 
A. foolish lover bang himself for pure love. 
Or any such like accident, and, before [made. 

They are cold in their graves, some damn'd ditty*8 
Which makes their ghosts walk. — Let the state take 
For the redress of this abuse, recording [order 

Twas done by my advice, and, for my part, 
I'll cut as clean a caper from the ladder. 
As ever merry Greek did. 

TimoL Yet I think 
You would shew more activity to delight 
Your master for a pardon. 

Grac. ! I would dance 
As I were all air and fire. ^Capers^ 

TimoL And ever be 
Obedient and humble ; 

Grac, As his spaniel. 
Though he kick'd me for exercise ; and the like 
I promise for all the rest. 

• Let but a chapel fall, or a street be fired, Ac] There 
is much good humour, as well as truth, in these remarks. 
They are, it roust be confessed, strangely out of time, and 
still more strangely out of place ; but the readtra of oar okl 
dramatists must be prepared to overlook these anomaliea. 

Much of the wit, and more, perhaps, of the interest, of 
our old dramas, is irretrievably lost through our ignorance 
of collateral circumstances. A thousand temporary allu- 
sions are received with indifference, or perhajM escape us 
altogether, which excited the strongest sensations of pleasure 
and pain in the bosoms of our ancestors. This play was 
performed for the first time, December 3, lOU ; and on the 
24th of October, in the same year, a diapel, or, as the con- 
tinuafor of Stow calls it, a chamber fell down ** In Huns- 
don House, in the Black Pryar>, where was assembled above 
three hundred men, women, and youths, to hear a Romane 
Cathulicque priest preach, in which fall was slaioe the 
preacher, and almost one hundred of his auditory, and well 
nigh as many more hurt." Immediately aHer this, follows 
an article oi firing a street. "Wednesday, the i3th of No- 
vember, 1023, one of the warehouses of Sir W. Cockayne,** 
(a name familiitr to Massinger,) " knight, alderman of Lon- 
don, in Broad Street, took /re in the evening, and ceased 
not till two o' the clock the next rooming, in which space 
it burnt his whole bouse, and ihree of his neighbour's honscs, 
to the great danger and damage of many neere inhabiUnts," 
SLC—Innales, p. 1035, ed. 1031. 

These apposite references, for which I am indebted to 
Mr. Gilchrist, prore, I think, that the tragical events in 
Gracculo's speech were not the suggestions of f^ncy. The 
foolish lover, who hung himself /or oi«r» love, was, perhaps, 
beneath the notice of the Chronicler; but I suspect that, 

if we could have recourse to the d d dittiee of the day, 

we should find his melancholy story to be no leas real Chan 
the other unfortunate occurrences. 



Scene III.] 



THE BONDMAN. 



119 



TimoL Rise then, yoa have it 
All the Slaves. Timoleon ! Timoleon ! 
TimoL Cease these clamours. 
And now, the w«r being ended to our wishes. 



* If usingcr never writes with nore effect, than when he 
combines his own fancy with somewhat of real history. In 
this case, the reader will not expect that tlie history should 
proceed in a rcgnlar order, or without the admission of fo. 
reign incidents, or that it should maintain to the end, the 
commanding interest with which it begins. It is enough 
fbr Maieinger, if be can secure attention at the outset, 
through the remembrance of som« important event, and 
if, under cover of this, he can prepare the part which jma- 
gination is to supply. It is on these principles he has 
proceeded in The Bomdnumt and produced a piece which, 
with 1 few exceptions, ik at once stately and playful, im- 
pressive and tender. He matures the love, under cover of 
the history ; till at length the interest changes, and the his- 
tory becomes subordinate fo the love. 

The charKters are drawn with much variety and interest ; 
tlie nodett gravity and self command of Timoleon well 
agree with the ancient descriptions of the man, fh>m whose 
month niAtf wif wmi bteoiema, neque gloHoemn exiU; and 
onr admiration of the heroic Pisandcr, who rannot appear 
in hii proper character till towards the conclni^on, is skijik 
fttUy excited by eariy notices, apparently incklental, of his 
grnt powers of body, his laneuage, sentiments, &c, far 
above his snppoaed condition. His signal temperance, the 
dwnn which wias the pore Cleora, is well contrasted with 
tke nareasonaUe distrnat and Jealoosy of Leostbenes, who, 
however, observes, with much self-complacency, while he 
mars hb own happiness by liis impatience, that women have 
bat Uttle judgment, and are mosdv made up of passion I It 
may be remarked here, that MaMlnger seems fond of punish- 
ing his men for nndne sospicions ami alarms in matters of 
knre ; and that this it one of the methods he takes to exalt 
the character of hii females, and to exhibit, as in Cleora, 
the eomplets ascendency of chastity over Jealousy. Other 
marks of hb accustomed management appear in this play. 
He is food of fulfilling expressions in a sense not intended 
by the speakers. Timagoras unconsciously says, that Pi- 
Sander was " bought for his sister's service ;" and Archi- 
damns bids him treat her with particular *' care and reve- 
rence," the very circumstance which gains her affections. 
In The Dmhe ef Milam too, Sforxa and Marcelia wish that, 
after a life of unvaried happiness, " one grave may receive 
them ;" and thev are bnrlcd together, after she has fallen 
bj hla hand. H« ia food of reierviog some injured person, 



And such as went the pilgrimage of love, 
Happy in full fruition of uieir hope, 
'Tis lawful, thanks paid to the powers dirine. 
To drown our cares in honest mirth and wine. 

[Exeunt^* 



whose late appearance may Justify what has been done, and 
hasten the conclusion of tlie plut. He reserves Statilia 
for the sake of vindicating Pisauder, and reminds us of 'Bn- 
eenia, whose wrongs explain the vengeance of Francisco. 
He is also fond of thiowing bis k>vers into difficulties, by 
confessing their attachment, while those who are interested 
in opposing ft, listen from behind. Cleora precipitates her 
expressions of kindness for Pisander, that her family mav 
be enraged at the discovery. And a similar contrivance will 
by and by strike the reader, in the plot of 7%e Renegado, 
where Donusa and Vitelli are overheard by Asambeg and 
Mnstapha. 

The ludicrons characters are not without their merit, 
always excepting the licentiousness which stains them ; licen- 
tiousness, however, which, fortnnately, is neither spirited 
nor attractive. The slaves turned masters, *' fret their hour" 
in their new dignity with becoming insolence. It b a fine 
stroke of nature which Plantos has given to one of his 
slaves : suddenly growing rich, and laying the plan of his 
future enjoyments, he determines to have slaves of his 
own: ^ 

dowmm irutrwuHf aarump tedee^ mancipia. 

Rudent, Act. IV. sc ii. 
If Massinger is to be suspected of political allusions, this 
play betravs him. The character of Gisco the admiral does 
not suit him, but agrees very weU with the Doke of Buck- 
ingham : 

" a raw young fellow, """ 

One never train'd in arms, but rather fashlon'd 
To tilt with ladies' lips, than crack a lance," &c. 
The " green heads that determine of the stale over their 
cups," &c., were now in possession of all power, and playing 
their wildest schemes. And towards the end of the reign 
of James, (the date of this play,; it might well be aaid, by 
the friends to the safety of their country : 

" in this plenty 

And fat of peace, your young men ne'er were traln'd 

In martial dtsctpline ; and your ships unrigg'd. 

Rot iu the harbour." 

One of those friends of his country was Massinger : and it 
is hardly possible to point out, in any writer, ancient or 
modern, a finer strain of patriotism amidst the public dan- 
ger, than that which animates the last scene of the first act 

I)B. iBII^aMO. 



THE RENEGADO. 



Tri Rrkeoado.] This tngi-comedy, for so Massing^ tenna it, appears from the office-book of the 
master of the revels, to hare been first produced on the stage, April 17th, 1694 : it was not given to the 
public till several years after, — ^the entry in the stationers' register bearing date March 6th, 1 699-30. 

The story, though wild and extravagant, is not all, perhaps, invention ; the pirates of Tunis and Algiers 
ravaged the northern coasts of the Mediterradean at pleasure ; and the Spanish and Italian writers of 
those days are full of adventures similar to this before us ; some of which were undoubtedly founded in 
fact 

The language and ideas of this play are strictly catholic ; notwithstanding which, it seems to have been 
a favourite with the public ; and even the modest author speaks of its merits with some degree of compla- 
cency. It was not, however, reprinted. 

It is said, in the title-page, to have been *' often acted by the queen's Jmajesties servants, at the private 
play-house in Drury Lauc. After the death of Queen Anne, in 1618, (as Mr. Malone informs me,) the 
players at this house were called, the Lady ElitabeOCt servanUy (i. e. James's daughter, then married to the 
Paisg^ve,) although she was not in England : but afker the marriage of Charles, they took the name of the 
queen's Mervants ; L e. of Henrietta Maria. The denomination, therefore, in the title-page of the old play, 
alludes to the time of its publication, and not to that of its " allowance ;" when, as appears from the first 
edition of The Bottdman, 1694, the players were still in possession of the former appellation* 



TO THE RIGHT BOKOURABLB 

GEORGE HARDING, 

BARON BERKELEY, ;0F BERKELEY CASTLE, AND KNIGHT OF THE: 
HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH*. 

My Good Lord, 

To be honoured for old nobility, or hereditary titles, is not alone proper to 3ronr8elf, but to some f«w of joar 
rank, who may challenge the like privilege with you : but in our age to vouchsafe (as you have often done) 
a ready hand to raise the dejected spirits of the contemned sons of the muses ; such as woold not soffier the 
glorious fire of poesy to be wholly extinguished, is so remarkable and peculiar to your lordship, that with a 
mil vote and suffrage, it is acknowledged that the patronage and protection of the dramatic poem is yoara, 
and almost without a rival. I despair not therefore, but that my ambition to present my service in this kind, 
may in your clemency meet with a gentle interpretation. Confirm it, my good lord, in your g^racious acoept- 
ance of this trifle ; in which, if I were not confident there are some pieces worthy the perusal, it should 
have been taught an humbler flight ; and the writer, your countryman, never yet made happy in your notice 
and favour, htn not made this an advocate to plead for his admission among such as are wholly and ainceraly 
devoted to your service. 1 may live to tender my humble thankfulness in some higher strain ', and till then, 
comfort myself with hope, that you descend from your height to receive 

Your honour's commanded servant, 

PHILIP MASSINGER. 



* He WHS made « kDight of the iMth at the creation of Gharlc», Prince of Wales, November 4;, 1616; three yesrt after 
he tocceeded hU grandfather, Henry, eleventh Lord Berkeley. 



Scnfxl.] 



THE RENEGADO. 



121 



DRAMATIS PERSONiE. 



AsAjiBSG*, viceroy tf Tunis, 
MusTAPBA, hailka of Aleppo, 
VrnELU, a V9nnia,n gentUman, 

dugtdttd at a mtr^ntf 
Fbancuco, a Jtmit, 
AirroNio Gumaldi, tJu Rene- 

gado, 
Caraue, an fwradk, 
Gazxt, ifnMNt to Vitelli, 
A|;a. 



ilefofv' JVoMMi. 
John Blanye. 
John Sumner. 

Mich. Bowyer. 
Wm. Reigxialds. 

Wm. Allen. 
Wm. Robins. 
E(l« Sbakerley. 




ActOT^ JVIflB 



Capiaga. 

Janizaries. 

Master. 

Boatswain. 

Sailors. 

A Gaoler. 



Turks. 



D0NU8A, niece to Amurath, 
Paulina, tister to Vitelli, 
Manto, ttrvant to Donusa. 

SCENE, Tunis. 



Ed. Rogers. 
Theo. Bourne. 



ACT I. 



SCENE I^— j1 Street near ike Bazar. 
Enlsr ViTXLU, and Gazet. 

ViuL You luiTe hired a shop, then ? 

Gaz, Ym, sir ; and our wares, 
Though brittle as a maidenhead at sixteen, 
Are 9m unladen ; not a crystal crack'd. 
Or china dish needs soldering ; our choice pictures, 
As they came from the workman, without blemish : 
And I hsTe studied speeches for each piece, 
And, in a thrifty tone, to sell them off. 
Will swear by Mahomet and Termagantf, 
That this is mistress to the great Duke of F16rence, 
That, nieoe to old King Pepin, and a Uiird, 
An Austrian princess by her Roman nose, 
Howe'er my conscience tells me they are figures 
Of bswds and common courtezans in Venice. 

VUoL You make no scruple of an oath, then ? 

Gaz. Fie, sir! 
Tit out of my indentures ; I am bound there 
To swear for my master's profit, as securely 
As your intelligencer t must for his prince. 



* Or, SI we ihoQld now uy, HoMmm Be^r ' 

t wm ommr fty Mahmmt mud Termagant.] Dr. Percy, 
ia lib remarks on the ancient ballad of Kittg Ettmeret 
anjs, that Termagant U the name given by the aothora of 
Chie old romances 10 the god of the Saracens : and as he was 
Cenerally r s p res en ted as a very farions being, the word 
tcnnafant was applied to any person of a tnrbnlent out- 
ragcoM disposition, thoogh at present it b appropriated to 
tlw female sex. 11. Mason. 

I have retained a part of this note, though there is little 
ia it. Onr leakNu ancestors, who were somewhat of Sir 
Andrew's way of thinking, and cordially disposed to beat 
tile Tnrics like dogs, for being Mahoinedans, innocently 
diargcd tlwm with deities whom they never acknowledged. 
Tttrmagani, whether derived from the Saxon, or (whiciC in 
this case, is nearly the same), flrom the Latin, cannot pos* 
ribly IMS a Saracenic divinity ; the word was orininslly nsed, 
I suppose, as an attribute of the Supreme Being of the 
Saxons, a people little less odions to oor romance writers, 
than iIk Saracens, and sometimes confounded with them. 

1 I am bound there 

To ewear/or «qr maeter'e prt(/ltf ae teatrelp 

At t/emr imtettigeneer, ftc] Here is, probably, an allusion 
to the cclebnitcd definition of an ambassador, by Sir Henry 
Woctua : ** An honest man appointed to /y» abroad for the 
good of his eoantnr,**— « definition} by the bye, which cost 
him deer ; fbr Sir Henry, not satisfied with entertaining hb 



That sends him forth an honourable spy. 

To serve his purposes. And if it be lawful 

In a Christian shopkeeper to cheat his father, 

I cannot find but to abuse a Turk 

In the sale of our commodities, must be thought 

A meritorious work. 

ViteL I wonder, sirrah. 
What's your religion ? 

Gaz, Troth, to answer truly, 
I would not be of one that should command me 
To feed upou poor John*, whenl see pheasants 
And partridges on the table : nor do I like 
The other, that allows us to eat flesh 
In Lent, though it be rotten, rather than be 
Thought superstitious ; as your zealous cobler. 
And learned botcher preach at Amsterdam, 
Over a hotchpotchf. I would not be confined 
In my belief: when all your sects and sectaries 
Are erown of one opinion, if I like it 
I will profess myself, — ^in the mean time. 
Live I in England, Spain, France, Rome, Geneva, 
I'm of that country's faith. 

Viul. And what in Tunis? 
Will you turn Turk here? 



countrymen, would needs translste his wit into Latin, for 
the amusement of foreigners. Lpe, which was then the 
term for lodge or dwell, made a tolerable pun ; bat nunfteis- 
dttm, into which it was turned, had neither humour nor 
ambiguity in it, and sorely scandalized the corps diplo- 
matic. 

* To feed upon poor John,] Poor John, Mr. Malonesays, 
b hake, dried, and falted. 

f OS tfour tealout cobler 

And teamed botcher preach at Anuterdam, 

Over a hotchpotch.] The religions troubles of Holland, in 
the 16lh century, arose principally ftom the Anabaptists. 
There was an insnrrectien at Amsterdam, headed by a tailor, 
a disciple of John of L«yden (the Munster king), himself 
a uilor: but, indeed, the toleration lAlowed to religions 
sects of all denominations, bad, about this time, filled Am- 
sterdam with fanatics Hnom every country in Europe. To 
this aggrei^ation of sealots, there are perpetual allusions in 
our old writers. Thus Shirley ; " Well, if I live, I wUl to 
Amsterdam, and add another schism to the two hundred, 
four score, and odd." Gentleman qf Venice. And Bean 
mont and Fletcher : " I am a schoolmaster, sir, and would 
fain confer with you about erecting four new sects of reli- 
gion at Anuttrdam,'* The Fair JUaid nf the Inn, 



in 



THE RENEGADO. 



[Act I. 



Gat, No : SO I should lose 
A collop of that part my Doll enjoin 'd me 
To bring home as she lef^ it : *tis her Tenture, 
Nor dare I barter that commodity, 
Without her special warrant. 
ViteL You are a knave, sir : 
Leaving your rogueiy, think upon my business, 
It is no time to fool now. [time 

liemember where you are too : though this mart- 
We are allow'd free trading, and with safety, 
Temper your tongue, and meddle not with the Turks, 
Their manners, nor religion. 

Gaz, Take you he«d, sir, f there landed 

What colours you w^ear. Not two hours since. 
An English pirate's whore, with a green apron*. 
And, as she walked the streets, one of their muftif. 
We call them priests at Venice, with a razor 
Cuts it off, petticoat, smock and all, and leaves her 
As naked as my nail ; the young fry wondering 
What strange beast it should be. I scaped a 

scouring 

My mistresses busk point, of that forbidden colour. 
Then tied my codpiece; Had it been discover'd 
1 bad been caponed. 

ViuL And had been well served. 
Haste to the shop, and set my wares in order, 
I will not long be absent. 

Got. Though I strive, sir, 
To put off melancholy, to which you are ever 
Too much inclined, it shall not hinder me. 
With my best care, to serve you. [ExiU 

Enter Francisco. 
ViteL I believe thee. 
O welcome, sir! stay of my steps in this life, 
And guide to all my blessed hopes hereafter, [per'd? 
What comforts, sir? Have your endeavours pros- 
Have we tired fortune's malice with our sufferi ngs? 
Is she at length, after so many frowns. 
Pleased to vouchsafe one cheerful look upon us ? 
Fran» You give too much to fortune and your 
passions. 
O'er which a wise man, if religious, triumphs. 
That name fools worship ; and those tyrants, which 
We arm against our better part, our reason. 
May add, but never take from our afflictions. 

Vitel, Sir, as I am a sinful man, I cannot 
But like one suffer. 

Fran. 1 exact not from you 
A fortitude insensible of calamity, [shownf 

To which the saints themselves have bow'd, and 
They are made of flesh and blood ; aU that I chal- 
lenge 
Is manly patience. Will you, that were train'd up 
In a religious school, where divine maxims. 
Scorning comparison with moral precepts. 
Were daily taught you, bear your constancy's trial. 
Not like Vitelli, but a village nurse, 
With curses in your mouth, tears in your eyes ? — 
How poorly it shows in you. 

ViteL I am sohool'd, sir. 
And will hereafter, to my utmost strength. 
Study to be myself. 

- toith a green i^ron.) It ihoold be olMervcd, 



that this colonr is approprlaled solely to the descendants 
of Mahomet. To "land at Tanis," or any other town 
professing the Mahometan religion, in a green dress, at 
this day, would perliaps cost the unwary stranger his life. 

t and shown,]. So the old cony : the modem edi- 
tors read, a$id ahow. 



Fran. So shall you find me 
Most ready to assist you ; neither have I 
Slept in your great occasions : since I left you, 
I have been at the viceroy's court, and press 'd 
As far as they allow a Christian entrance : 
And something I have leam'd, that may concern 
The purpose of this ioumey. 
ViteL Dear sir, what is it? 
Fran, By the command of Asambeg, the viceroy. 
The city swells with barbarous pomp and pride, 
For the entertainment of stout Mustapha, 
The basha of Aleppo, who in {terson 
Comes to receive ttie niece of Amurath, 
The fair Donusa, for his bride. 

ViuL 1 find not 
How this may profit us. 

Fran, Pray you give me leave. 
Among the rest that wait upon the viceroy. 
Such as have, under him, command in Tunis, ' 
Who, as you've often heard, are all false pirates, 
I saw the shame of Venice, and the scorn 
Of all good men, the perjured Rxnboado, 
Antonio Grimaldi. 

ViteL Ha ! his name 
Is poison to me. 
Fran. Yetagaitil 
Vitel, 1 have done, sir. 

Fran, This debauch'd villain, irhom we ever 
thought 
(After his impious scorn done in St Mark's, 
To me, as 1 stood at the holy altar) 
The tbief that ravish'd your fair sister horn you. 
The virtuous Paulina, not long since. 
As I am truly given to understand. 
Sold to the viceroy a fair Christian virgin ; 
On whom, maugre his fierce and cruel nature, 
Asambeg dotes extremely. 

ViteL 'Tis my sister: 
It must be she, my better angel telb me 
'Tis poor Paulina. Farewell all disguises ! 
Ill show, in my revenge, that I am noble. 
Fran, You are not madi 
ViteL No, sir ; my virtuous anger 
Makes every vein an artery ; I feel in me 
The strength of twenty men ; and, beinv aim'd 
With my good cause, to wreak* wrong'df innocenoe, 
I dare alone run to the viceroy's court. 
And with this poniard, before his &oe. 
Dig out Grimaldi's heart 
Fran, Is this religious 1 

ViteL Would you have me tame now? Can I 
know my sister 
Mew'd up in his seraglio, and in danger 
Not alone to lose her honour, but her soul ; 
The hell-bred villain by too, that has sold both 
To black destruction, and not haste to send him 
To the devil, his tutor? To be patient now, 
Were, in another name, to play the pander 
To the viceroy's loose embraces, and crv aim f ! 
While he, by force or flattery, compels her 
To yield her fair name up to bis foul luBt, 
And, after, turn apostata to the faith 
That she was bred in. 

Fran. Do but give me hearing, 

* to wreak iorong*d hmocenot,] L e. to revenge ; 

so in 7'he Fatal Dowry. 

" But there's a heaven above, from whose Jiiat i 
No misu of policy can hide offenders." 
f and cry aim t] See (Atf r ' 



Scene II.] 



THE R£N£GADO. 



1«3 



And you shall soon grant bow ridiculous 

This childisli fur^ is. A irise man never 

Attempts impoasibilitiea; 'tis as easy 

For any single arm to quell an army. 

As to effect your wishes. We come hither 

To learn Paulina's fate*, and to redeem her : 

Leave your revenge to heaven : I oft have told you. 

Of a relief that I gave her, which has power, 

If we may credit holy men*s traditions, 

To keep the owner free from violence : 

This on her breast she wears, and does preserve 

The virtue of it, bv Tier daily prayers. 

So, if she fall not by her own consent. 

Which it were sin to think, I fear no force. 

Be, therefore, patient; keep this borrowed shape, 

TiU time and opportunity present us 

With some fit means to see her ; which perform'd 

111 join with you in any desperate course 

For her delivery. 

ViuL You have charm'd me, sir, 
And I obey in all things : pray you, pardon 
The weakness of my passion. 

Fran. And excuse it. 
Be cheerful man ; for know that good intents 
Are, in the end, crown'd with as fair events. 

[Exeunt 

SCENE ll^^A Room in Dokusa's Palace. 
Enter Dovusa, BIavto, and Carazib. 

Don. Have you seen the Christian captive, 
The gpneat basha is so enamour 'd of? 

ManL Yea, an it please your excellency, 
I took a full view of her, when she was 
Presented to him. 

Don. And ia ahe such a wonder. 
As 'tis reported ? 

Mont, She was drown'd in tears then. 
Which took much from her beauty ; yet, in spite 
Of sorrow, she appear'd the mistress of 
Most ^are perfections ; and, though low of stature. 
Her well-proportion'd limbs invite affection : 
And, whttk she speaks, each syllable is music 
That does enchant the hearers : but your highness^. 
That are not to be parallell*d, I yet never 
Beheld her equal. 

Dm. Come, you flatter me ; 
Bat I forgive it. We, that are bom great. 
Seldom distaste^ our servanta though they give us 
More than we can pretend to. I have heard 
That Christian ladies live with much more freedom 



• To team Paulbta't fiite.] The old copy reads faith; 
f be aluratioo, whieh seems Jadicioos, was made by Mr. M. 
Mason. 

t iqfl kme toldpou 

Cf a rdie thai 1 gave her, &c. J I have already observed, 
thai the language of this play is catholic ; the idea, how- 
ever, of the power of relics, in the preservation of chastity, 
may be fovod in many vMl romances and books of knigbt- 
erraotry, which were andonbtedly familiar to Masffinger. 

X hat four A^Amsw,] i. e. escept yoar highness, 

&c. In the next line, the modem editors had so trans- 
posed tlie words, as to make it downright prose: it is now 
reformed. 

^ We, thai are horn greai, 

SHdam distaste our aervanie though they give u$ 

More thorn we eon pretmd to.] i. e. dieUke; in which 
sense the word frequently occurs. Thus Shirley, in the 
epilogue to Love ws a Maze : 

" be de>lres that yon 

Sboohl not dUtaete Us m«se, becauie of kte 
TraasplaBtcd,*' Ike 



Than such as are bom here. Our jealous Turks 
Never permit their fair wives to be seen, 
But at the public bagnios, or the mosques. 
And, even then, veil'd and guarded. Thou, Carazie, 
Wert bom in England ; what's the custom there, 
Among your women 1 Come, be free and merry : 
I am no severe mistress : nor hast thou met with 
A heavy bondage. 

Car. Heavy ! I was made lighter 
By two stone weight, at least, to be fit to serve you. 
But to your question, madam ; women in England, 
For the most part, live like queens. Your country 
Have liberty to hawk, to hunt, to feast, [ladies. 
To give free entertainment to all comers. 
To talk, to kiss ; there's no such thing known there 
As an Italian girdle. Your city dame. 
Without leave, wears the breeches, has her husband 
At as much command as her 'prentice ; and, if need 
Can make him cuckold by her father's copy« [be, 

Don. But your court lady ? 

Cor. She, I assure you, madam. 
Knows nothing but her will ; must be allow'd 
Her footmen, her caroch*, her ushers, pages, 
Her doctor, chaplains ; and, as I have heard, 
They're grown of late so learn'd, that they maintain 
A strange position, which their lords, with all 
Their wit, cannot confute. 

Don, What's that, I prithee ? 

Car, Marry, that it is not only fit, but lawful. 
Your madam there, her much rest and high feeding 
Duly consider'd, should, to ease her husband. 
Be allow'd a private friend : they have drawn a bill 
To this good purpose, and, the next assembly. 
Doubt not to pass it. 

Don. We enjoy no more. 
That are o' the Othoman race, though our religioa 
Allows all pleasure. I am dull : some music 
Take my chapinesf off. So, a lusty strain. 

[A gaUiardm Knocking within. 
Who knocks there? 

[Manto goes to tite door, and retumt, 

Mant, 'Tis the basha of Aleppo, 
Who humbly makes request he may present 
His service to you. 

Don, Reach a chair. We must 
Receive him like ourself, and not depart^ with 
One piece of ceremony, state, and greatness. 
That may beget respect and reverence 
In one that's bom our vassal. Now admit him. 

Enter Mustapiia ; he puts off his yellow pantofles. 

Musta. The place is sacred ; and I am to enter 
The room where she abides, with such devotion 
As pilgrims pay at Mecca, when they visit 
The tomb of our great prophet. [Kneeltt 



* Her Jbotment her carocht her uehera, pagee,] If the 
reader would have a pruniising specimen of what can be 
doue by a nice ear, in editing an ancient poet, let him cast 
an eye on this line, as it stands in Coxeter, and Mr. M. 
Mason: 

Her footmen, her coach, her uehere, her pages, 
tum-tl-ti, tum-titi, ftc. 

t Take my chapines off.] Chapinee (Spanish, and not 
Italian, as the commentators on Shaksf^are assert) are a 
kind of clogs with thick cork soles, which the ladies wear 
on their shoes when they go abroad. 

X and not depart with, &c.] To depart and part 

were anciently synonymous. Thus Jouson : 
" He that departs with liis own honesty 
For vulgar praise, doth it too dearly buy." Epig. ii. 



Dim, KiB« ; tlie sign 

l^Carttiie taket up tht panUtflet, 
Tbat we vouchsafe jOQr prea^iice. 

MujfUt Mny those powers 
That miiisd the Otlicman empire, and still guard tt, 
Reward your highness for this gjacious fBvour 
You throw u}>on rour servaut ' It bath pleased 
The most iiiviiKMbU^ mightiest Amurath, 
(To speak his other titles would take from him 
That in himst'ir does romprebend aJl greatness^) 
To mMke uie the unwortiiy instrument 
Of his comraaQd^ Receive, divinest ladv, 

[Dflivfrt a Ittier, 
This letter, sijcn'd hj his victorious hand, 
And made sutlieutit; by the im|ierial seaJ. [you 

There, when you find me mention 'd, far be it Jrom 
To think it my ambiiion to prfsume 
At such a happiness, which his f)owerful will. 
From liift irreai mind*9 mngnificence, not ray merit, 
Hath shower'd upon me. But, if your consent 
Join with his gomi opinion and ullowance^ 
To perfect what bis favours have be|j^un, 
I alinil, in my ohsequioujiiieiis and duty, 
Endear our* to prev^ent all just complaints, 
Wbieh want of will to serre you may «dl on me, 

Don, His sacred majesty write* here, thai your 
yaloiir 
A^in^t the Persian hath so won upon him, 
llmt there*a no grace or honour in his ^fl, 
Of which he can imagine you unworthy ; 
And, what's the greatest you cun hope, or aim at, 
It is his pleasure you should he received 
Into hia royal ftimilv — ^provided, 
For *o far 1 am uncontinetL that I 
Affect and like your person. I eJtpect not 
The ceremony which he uses m 
Bestowing of hit« dau^'hters and his nieces : 
As Uiat he should present you for my slave, 
To love you, if you pleased me ; or deliver 
A poniard, on my least dislike, to kdl yuu. 
Such tyranny and pride agree not witii 
My softer disposition. Let it suflice, 
For my first answer, that thus far 1 grace you : 

[Gireg him her hand to kifU 
HereaAer, some time epent to make enquiry 
Of the good p«trts and nictilties of your miud, 
\'ou sliall hear further &om me. 

MmUi. Though all torments 
Really sufier'd, or in helJ imMgined 
By curious fiction, in one hotir^ij delay 
Are wholly comprehended ; I conf«?as 
That 1 stand bound m duty, not to check at 
Whatever vou command, or please to impose. 
For trial ot my patience* 

Don, Let us lind [me ; 

Some other subject ; too mach of one tlieme cloys 
Is't a full mart ? 

Muiia* A confluence of all nations 
Are met together : tljere's variety, toOj 
Of alt thot mercbanls traffiq for. 

Don, 1 know not — 



* / »hall in mif ohtt^autntM* and dttty^ 

EmteavoKTt Sic] Tlib, a ltd what (uUuw*, Arc prrtty cor- 
rt'ct iptciincii* vt \hc nianiivr iii if^tilcli tliv great uHieL-re uf 
ihe ■!■(« Ate atill pHid to pay tlivir a(1(1rr*)»c» lo ttie |jrln- 
tr'M'^i iif llie iiiincriNt famUy. Th« A%t of MAiij»in};er prt*- 
fliK'fft mnny v.*»n\ hutoru's uf i)ic Tiirk.*: lie foUuvti ttivm, 
tiuwtvcr, bj' ttnfli *»Ay, *or in ijuiie of hi» pWyn air Ihc 
ntiinncr* v( dilfvreal cvaalrlcii lo uttai^cd aad ci^uftmudiMl 
•* III l^li. 



I feel a virgin's longing to descend 
So far from my own gTeatnes&, as to be. 
Though not a buyer, yet a looker on 
Their strange commodities, 

Mmtit, If without a train, 
Ynu dare be seen abroad. Til dismiss mine, 
And wail upon you as a cottimon man, 
And stitisfy your wishes. 

Don. 1 embrace it. 
Provide my veil ; and, at the postern gale, 
Convey us out unseen. 1 trouble you. 

Musia, It i& my hajipiness you deign to command 
me. ^ lEi€UHt, 



aUcing 



SCENE llh^ne Bam. 
Gakt in hit Shop; pRAsasco cud VrrELU i 
hi,. 

Gnz. What do you lack I Your choice China 
dishes, your pure \'eiietian crystal of all sorts, of 
all neat and new fashions, from the mirror of tJte 
madam, to tlie priirate utensil of her chambermiud ; 
and curious pictures of the rarest beautieB of Europe : 
What do you lack, gentlemen I 

h'ran. Take heed, I say ; howe'er it may appear 
Impertinent, 1 must expre.'^s my love, 
My advice, and counsel. Vou Br*" younif, Vitelli*, 
And may be tempted \ »nd theae Turkish dnmes, 
("Like English mai^tifTs, that increase their fierceness 
iJy being: cliain'd up,) from tlie restraint of freedom, 
llf lust once fire their hlood from a fair object. 
Will run a course tlu- fiends themselves wouLd shake 
To enjoy their wanton ends, [at, 

VittL Sir, you mistake me i 
I am too full of woe, to entertain 
One thought of pleasure, though all Kuro|»e*a queens 
KneelM at my feet, and courte^d me ; much less 
To mix with such, whose difference of faith 
Must, of necessity, (or 1 must gmnt 
Myself neglectful of all you have luught me,^ 
Strfnigle such base desires. 

Fran, lie constant in 
lljat resolution ; Til abroad Sfrain, 
And learn, as for as it is possible, 
What mny concern Paulina. Some two hours 
Shall bring me b»rk. [E^(^ 

ViuL All blessings wtiit upon you f 

Gm. Cold doings, air; a mart do you call thisi 
slight ! 
A puddingwife, or a witch with n thrum cap, 
That sells ale underground to such as come 
To know tlieir fcirtunes in a dead vactttion^ 
Hare ten to one more stirring. 

VittL We must he patient. 

Gd5. Your seller by retail ought to be angry, 
But when be'a fingering money. 

Eiiltfr GfiiiSALOtj Master, Boatswain, Sailors, and 
Turks- 

VihL Here ore company^ 

Defend me. my good angel, 1 behold 
A basilisk I 

Gas. What do you lack 1 whet do you lack ! pur« 
China dishes, clear crystal glasses, a dumb oustresa 
to make love to \ What do you lack, geatlenum T 

■ - - - Ymi arrycMng, ViiplU,] 1 bsv* aikled ibc n«inr, 
which lecfii* to li»v« rlru^t oQt at Uie y^rvf, lo conipleic tW 



I 




Scene III.] 



THE RENEGADO. 



1«5 



Grim, Thy mother for a bawd ; or, if thoa hast 
A handsome ooe, thy sister for a whore ; 
Without these, do not tell me of your trash. 
Or I shall spoil your market. 

ViteL ^Old Grimaldi* ! [stand 

Grim, 'Zounds, wherefore do we put to sea, or 

The raging winds, aloft, or p upon 

The foamy waves, when they rage most ; deride 
The thunder of the enemy's shot, board boldly 
A'merchant's ship for prize, though we behold 
The desperate gunner ready to give fire. 
And blow the deck up ? wherefore shake we off 
Those scrupulous rags of charity and conscience. 
In rented only to keep churchmen warm, 
Or feed the hungry mouths of famish 'd beggars ; 
But, when we touch the shore, to wallow in 
All sensual pleasures ? 

Matt, Ay, but, noble captain. 
To spare a little for an after-clap, 
Were not improvidence. 

Grim, Hang consideration ! 
When this is spent, is not our ship the same. 
Our courage too the same, to fetch in more ? 
The earth, where it is fertilest, returns not 
More than three harvests, while the glorious sun 
Posts through the zodiac, and makes up the year : 
But the sea, which is our mother, (that embraces 
Both the rich Indies in her out-stretch*d arms,) 
Yields every day a crop, if we dare reap it. 
No, no, my mates, let tradesmen think of thrift. 
And nsurers hoard up ; let our expense 
Be as our comings in are, without bounds. 
We are the Neptunes of the ocean. 
And such as traffic shall pay sacrifice 
Of their beat lading ; I will have this canvass 
Your boy wears, lined with tissue, and the cates 
You taste senr'd up in gold : — Though we carouse 
'll>e tears of orphans in our Greekish wines, 
The sighs of undone widows pajring for 
The music boueht to cheer us, ravish 'd virgins 
To slavery sold, for coin to feed our riots. 
We will have no compunction. 

Gaz, Do you hear, sirl 
We have paid for our ground. 

Grim. Hum! 

Gaz, And hum too ! 
For all your big words, get you further off. 
And hinder not the prospect of our shop. 
Or . 

Grim. What will you do 1 

Gaz. Nothing, sir, — ^but pray 
Your worship to give me handseL 

Grim, By the ears. 
Thus, sir, by the ears. 

Moii. Hold, bold ! 

Vittl YouTl still be prating [whore. 

Grtm. Come, let's be drunk ; then each man to his 
'Slight, how do you look ! you bad best go find a 

comer 
To pray in, and repent : do, do, and cry j 
It will shew fine in pirates. [Eiit. 

Mast, We must follow. 
Or he will spend our shares. 

Boattw. 1 fought for mine. 

Matt, Nor am I so precise but I can drab too : 
We will not sit out for our parts. 



• Old Grhmaidit] So the qnirto. 1 rappote the li- 
censer here Uld bit tnad opoa loinc hmrmleM ioterjeciion : 
the nest lockily escaped him. 



Boattw, Agreed. [^Exeunt Master, Boattw., Sailors. 

Gaz. The devil gnaw off his fingers ! If he were 
In London, among the clubs, up went his heels 
For strikiug of a 'prentice*. What do you lack ? 
What do you lack, gentlemen ? 

1 Turk, I wonder how the viceroy can endure 
The insolence of this fellow. 

2 Turk. He receives profit 

From the prizes be brings in ; and that excuses 
Whatever he commits. Ha ! what are these ? 

Enter Mustapha, and Dokvsa veiled. 
1 Turk. They seem of rank and quality ; observe 

them. 
Gaz. What do you lack ? see what you please to 
buy; 
W'ares of all sorts, most honourable madona. 

Vitel, Peace, sirrah, make no noise ', thes^ are not 
To be jested with. [people 

Don, Is this the Christians' custom. 
In the venting their commodities ? 

Miista. Yes, best madam. 
But you may please to keep your way, here's nothing 
But toys and trifles, not worth your observing. 
Dim. Yes, for variety's sake : pray you, shew us. 



[friend, 



[mirror 
Here is a 



The chiefest of your wares. 

Vitel. Your ladyship's servant ; 
And if, in worth or title, you are more, 
My ignorance plead my jmrdon ! 

Dim. He speaks well. 

Vitel. Take down the looking-glass. 
Steel'd so exactly, neither taking from 
Nor flattering the object it returns 
To the beholder, that Narcissus might 
(And nether grow enamour'd of himselQ 
View hii fair feature in't. 

Don, Poetical too ! 

Vitei. Here China dishes to serve in a banquet,' 
Though the voluptuous Persian sat a guest. 
Here crystal glasses, such as Ganymede 
Did fill with nectar to the Thunderer, 
When he drank to Alcides, and received him 
In the fellowship of the gods ; true to the owners f: 

• Ifhewere 

in London, among the dnbs, up went hit heels. 
For striking of a 'prentice.^ The police of the city seems 
to have been wretchedly coodacted at this time, when pri- 
vate injories were left to private redress, and pablic brawls 
composed by the interference of a ^iddy rabble. Every 
house, at least every shop, was furnished with bludgeons, 
with which, on the slightest appearance of a fray, the in- 
habitants armed themselves, and rushed in swarms to the 
scene of action. From the petulance of the young citiiens, 
who then mixed little with the gentry, and the real or af- 
fected contempt in which the latter professed to hold them, 
subjects of contention were perpetually arising: the city 
signal for reinforcements, was a cry of ** clubs, dubsl" 
and the streets were instantly filled with armed apprentices. 
To this curious system of preserving the peace, our old 
dramatists have frequent allusions. Thus, in Declcer's 
Honest Whore, where a mercer is struck, his servant ex- 
claims : " 'Sfoot, clidts! clubs! 'prentices, down with them I 
ah yon rogues, «trikc a citizen in his shop!" Again, in 
Green's Tu Quoque, Staines says : 

" Sirrah ! by your outside you seem a ct'fiMA, 
Whose coxcomb I were apt enough to break. 
But for the law. Go, you're a praUng Jack ; 
Nor Is't your hopes of cnring out for chtbs, 
Can save you from my chastisement." 

f Here crystal glasses true to the owners, &c.] This, 

and what follows, is a correct account of the notion once 
entertained, respecting the etfect of poison on Venice glasses ; 
a circumstance which wonderfully increased their value. It 
may be added, that the chief manufactory for glass was at 
tbis time in the vicinity of that city. Mr. Gilchrist informs 
me, from Stow, that ** the first making of Venice glasses in 



If6 



THE RENEGADO. 



[Act 



^ 



Corinthian plate, studded with diamonds, 
ConcealM oft deadly poison ; this pure metal 
So innocent is, and faithful to the mistress 
Or master that possesses it, that, rather 
Than hold one drop that's venomous, of itself 
It flies in pieces, and deludes the traitor. 

Don, How movingly could this fellow treat upon 
A worthy suhject, that finds such discourse 
To moe a trifle ! 

Vitel, Here's a picture, madam ; 
The masterpiece of Michael Angelo, 
Our great Italian workman ; here's another, 
So perfect at all parts, that had Pygmalion 
Seen this, his prayers had heen made to Venus 
To have given it life, and his carved ivory image 
By poets ne'er rememher'd. They are, indeed, 
The rarest beauties of the Christian world, 
And no where to be equall'd. 

D(m» You are partial 
In the cause of those you favour ; I believe 
I instantly could shew you one, to theirs 
Not much inferior. 

Vitel. With your pardon, madam, 
I am incredulous. 

Don, Can you match me this? {.Lifts her veil, 

ViteL What wonder look I on ! I'll search above. 
And suddenly attend you. [Exit, 

Don, Are you amazed ? 
I'll bring you to yourself. [Throws down the glasses, 

Musta, Ha ! what's the matter ? 

Gat, My master's ware !— We are undone ! — O 
strange! 
A lady to turn roarer, and break glasses* ! 
'Tis time to shut up shop then. 

Musta, You seem moved. 
If any language of these Christian dogs 
Have call'd your anger on, in a frown shew it. 
And they are dead Siready, 



Hon. The oflTenoe 
Looks not 80 far. The foolish paltry fellow 
Shew'd me some trifles, and demaMKd of me. 
For what I valued at so many aspers, 
A thousand ducats. I confess he moved me ; 
Yet I should wrong myself, should such a beggar 
Receive least loss from me. 

Musta, Is it no more 1 

Don, No, I assure you. Bid him bring his bill 
To-morrow to the palace, and enquire 
For one Doousa ; that word gives him passage 
Through all the g^ard : say, there he shall receive 
Full satisfaction. Now, when you please. 

Musta, I wait you. [Exeunt Musta. and Don*. 

1 Turk, We must not know them. — Let's shift 
off, and vanish. [Exeunt Turks, 

Gat. The swine's-poz overtake you ! there's a curse 
For a Turk, that eats no hog's flesh. 

Re-enter Vitklu. 

Vitel, Is she gone ? 

Gaz, Yes : you may see her handiwork; 

VUel. No matter. 
Said she ought else ? 

Gaz, That you should wait upon her, 
And there receive court payment ; and, to pass 
The guards, she bids you only say you oome 
To one Donusa. 

Vitel, How ! Remove the wares ; 
Do it without reply. The sultan's niece ! 
I have heard, among the Turks, for any lady 
To show her face bare, argues love, or spean 
Her deadly hatred. What should I fear? my fortune 
Is sunk so low, there cannot fall upon me 
Alight worth my shunning. I will run the hazard : 
She may be a means to nee distress'd Paulina — 
Or, if ofiended, at the worst, to die 
Is a fiill period to calamity. lEseunt, 



ACT II. 



SCENE I.— A Boom in Donusa's Palace, 
Enter Carazie and Manto. 

Car, In the name X)f wonder, Manto, what hath my 
Done with herself, since yesterday ? [lady 

Mant, 1 know not. 
Malicious men report we are all guided 
In our affections by a wandering planet ; 
But such a sudden change in such a person, 
May stand for an example, to confirm 
Their false assertion. 



England, begin at the Crotcbed Fryars, in London, about 
tile broinuing of the migne of Queen Elizabeth, by one 
Jacob Ycnaline, an Italian." Theie, I suspect, were not, 
nice the genuine ones, true to the owners. There is an allu- 
sion In this speech to a beautiful passage in Juvenal * 

** nulla acomta bibuntw 

Fictilihu* ; tunc ilia time, cum poeula tumes 
Gemmata, et lato Setimtm ardehit in aura.** Sat z. 
* A Utdjf to turn roarer, and break gUueee !] A roarer 
was the cant term for what we now call a blusterer, or 
bnUy. Thns Gaset, In the third act, says to Grimakli, in 
his state of reformation, 

Now, ytm do not roar, «<r. 



Car, She's now pettish, froward ; 
Music, discourse, observance, tedious to her. 

Mant, She slept not the last night ; and yet pre- 
vented 
The rising sunt, in being up before him : 
Call'd for a costly bath, then will'd the rooms 
Should be perfumed ; ransack'd her cabinets 
For her choice and richest jewels^, and i^ypears 
now 



* {Exeunt Mutta. and Don.] Nothing can exceed the 
negligence with which the exits and entrances are marked 
by Mr. M. Mason : in this place he gives a speech to the 
Turks, after sending them off the stage I 

t Mant. She ^ept not the last night ; and pet prevented 

The rising «ifn,J Massinger explains himself: but the 
expression is from the Psalms : " Mine eyef prevent the 
night-watches.'' 

I For her choice aAd richest iewelt,] Thb b nodemlsed 
by Coxeter and Mr. M. Mason, into choicest, Hc/I«af Jewels: 
aithongh the frequent recurrence of the expression might 
have taught them caution on the subject ; it is found again 
In this very play : 

" Adorned in her choice and richeet Jewels." 

Act. V. sc iit 



SC£N£ III.] 



THE RENEGADO. 



t«7 



Like Cynthia in full gloiy, waited on 
By the fairest of the stars. 

Car. Can you {piess the reason. 
Why the aga of the janizaries, and he 
That guards the entrance of the inmost port. 
Were call'd before hert 

Mant. They are both her creatures. 
And by her grace preferred : but I am ignorant 
To what purpose tney were sent for. 

Enter Donusa. 

Cor. Here she comes, 
FuU of sad thoughts : we must stand further off. 
What a firown was that ! 

Mant. Forbear, 

Car. I pity her. [self? 

Don. What magic hath transformed me from my- 
Where is my virgin pride ? how have I lost 
My boasted* freedom ? what new fire burns up 
My scorched entrails t what unknown desires 
Invade, and take possession of my soul. 
All virtuous objects vanish'd ? I, that have stood* 
The shock of fierce temptations, stopp'd mine ears 
Against all syren notes lust ever sung, 
To draw my bark of chastity (that with wonder 
Hath kept a constant and an honour *d course) 
Into the gnlph of a deserved ill-fame. 
Now fiUl unpitied ; and, in a moment. 
With mine own hands, dig up a grave to bury 
The monumental heap of all my years, 
Employ'd in noble actions. O, my fate ! 
— But there is no resisting. I obey thee, 
Imperums g^ of love, and willingly 
Put mine own fetters on, to grace tny triumph : 
'Twere, therefore, more than cruelty in tliee. 
To use me like a tyrant. What poor means 
Must I make use of now ; and flatter such. 
To whom, till I betray'd my liberty, 
One gracious look of mine would have erected 
An altar to my service ! How now. Manto ! — 
My ever careful woman ; and, Carazie, 
Thou hast been faithful too. 

Car. I dare not call 
My life mine own, since it is yours, but gladly 
Will part with it, whene'er you shall command me ; 
And think I foil a martyr, so my death 
M^ give life to your pleasures. 

ManL But vouchsafe 
To let me understand what you desire 
Should be effected ; I will undertake it, 
And curse myself for cowardice, if 1 paused 
To ask a reason why. 

Don. I am comforted 
In the tender of your service, but shall be 
Confirm*d in my full joys, in the performance. 
Yet, trust me, I will not impose upon you 
But what you stand engaged for to a mistress. 
Such as I have been to you. All I ask,. 
Is Mth and secrecy. 

Car. Say but you doubt me. 
And, to secure you. 111 cut out my tongue ; 
I am libb'd in the breech already. 

ManU Do not hinder 
Yourself, by tibese delajrs. 

* / that hate ttood, &c.] This fine speech, u it hath been 
hitherto given in all the editions, is abtolate nonsense. I 
have ventured to reform tlie pointing altogether, and to 
insert that belbre ham, which is the greatest liberty I have 
yet talien with tlie old copy. 



Don, Thus then I whisper 
Mine own shame to you. — O that I should blush 
To speak what 1 so much desire to do ! 
And, further — \_Whitpert and um$ vehement action 

Mant. Is this all ? 

Don. Think it not base : 
Although I know the ofiice undergoes 
A coarse construction. 

Car. Coarse \ 'tis but procuring ; 
A smock employment, which has made more knights. 
In a country I could name, than twenty years 
Of service in the field. 

Don. You have my ends. [wanting 

Mant, Which say you have arrived at: be not 
To yourself, and fear not us. 

Car. I know my burthen ; 
III bear it with delight. 

Mant. Talk not, but do. VExeimt Car, and Mant. 

Don. O love, what poor shifts thou dost force us 
to! [ExU. 

» 

SCENE II.— i4 Court in the tame. 
Enter Aga, Capiaga, and Janizaries. 

Aga. She was ever our good mistress, and our 
maker. 
And should we check at a Uttle hazard for her^ 
We were unthankful. 

Cap, I dare pawn my head, 
'Tis some disguised mmion of the court, ' 
Sent from great Amurath, to learn from her 
The viceroy's actions. 

Aga, That concerns not us ; 
His fall may be our rise : whate'er he be, 
He passes Uirough my guards. 

Cap. And mine — provided 
He give the word. 

Enter Vftelli. 

Vitel. To faint now, being thus far, ' 
Would argue me of cowardice. 

Aga. Stand : the word : 
Or, being a Christian, to press thus far. 
Forfeits thy life. 

Vitel. Donusa. 

Aga. Pass in peace. \Exeunt Aga and Janixariet, 

Vitel. What a privilnge her name bears ! 
'Tis wondrous strange I If the great officer. 
The guardian of the inner port, deny not — 

Cap. Thy warrant : Speak, or thou art dead. 

Vitel, Donusa. 

Cap, That protects thee ; 
Without fear enter. So : — discharge the watch. 

[Eieunt Vitelli and Capiaga, 



SCENE III. — An outer Room in the same. 
Enter Carazie and Manto. 

Car, Though he hath past the aga and chief porter, 
This cannot be the man. 

Mant, By her description, 
I am sure it is. 

Car, O women, women. 
What are you ? A great lady dote upon 
A harberdasher of small wares ! 

Mant, Pish ! thou hast none. 

Car, No ; if I had, I might have served the turn : 
This 'tis to want munition, when a man 
Should make a breach, and enter. 



128 



THE RENEGADO. 



[Act it. 



Enter Vitelu, 

MavU Sir, you are welcome : 
Think what 'tis to be happy, and possess it 

Car, Perfume the rooms there, and make way. 
Let music 
With choice notes entertain the man the princess 
Now purposes to honour*. 

ViuL I am raTish'd. [Extunt, 



SCENE ly. A Room of State in the same. A table 
tet forth f with jewels and bags upon it. 

Loud music. Enter Donusa, (followed by Carazib,) 
and takes Iter seat, 

Don, Sing o*er the ditty that I last composed 
Upon my lovesick passion : suit your voice 
To the music that's placed yonder, we shall hear you 
With more delight and pleasure. 

Car, 1 obey you. [Song, 

During the song, enter Manto and Vitelu. 

Vitel, Is not this Tempe, or the blessed shades, 
Where innocent spirits reside ? or do I dream, 
And this a heavenly vision ? Howsoever, 
It is a sight too glorious to behold, 
For such a wretch as I am. 

Car, He is daunted. 

Mant, Speak to him, madam ; cheer him up, or you 
Destroy what you have built. 

Car, Woula I were furnish 'd 
With his artillery, and if I stood 
Gaping as he does, hang me. [Aside, 

[Exeunt Carazie and Manto, 

ViteL That I might 
Ever dream thus ! [Krieels 

Don, Banish amazement ; 
You wake : your debtor tells you so, your debtor : 
And, to assure you that I am a substance f. 
And no aerial figure, thus I raise you. 
Why do you shake ? my soft touch brings no ague : 
No biting frost is in this palm ; nor are 
My looks like to the Gorgon's head, that tum{ 
Men into statues ; rather they have power. 
Or I have been abused, where they bestow 
Their influence, (let me prove it truth in you,) 
To give to dead men motion. 

ViUl, Can this be? 
May I believe my senses ? Dare I think 
I have a memory, or that you are 



* Car. Perftums the rooms there^ and make way. Let 

mneic 
With choice notes entertain the man, the princess 
Now purposes to honoter.] These lines are tku« arranged 
by CoKeler and Mr. M. Mason : 

Car. Per^mte the rooms theret and make way. 
Let msisic's choice notes entertain the man. 
The princess now ptirposee to honour. 
The reader may consider whether it was worth while to 
sophisticate the old copy, for the sake of producing three 
lines of barbarous prose. 

t And, to assure ffou that / am n substance,] The omis- 
sion of the article by Coxeler and Mr. M. Mason, utterly 
destroys the metre. 

t that turn] Mr. M. Mason reads, that turns : but 

he mistakes the eovvrnment of the verb, which is nut Gor- 

{\on's head, but tooits, as is suflTtciently clear from what fol- 
ows. 1 must observe here, that Massinger is too apt, in 
the words of honest Dogberry, to let hie writing and reading 
anpear, when there is no need qf such vanity. Not only 
Vitelli, but Donu«a an<l all her court appear as familiar with 
the heathen mythology, as Ovid himseu. 



That excellent creature that of late disdained not 
To look on my poor trifles! 
Don, I am she. 

Vitel, The owner of that blessed name, Donusa, 
Which, like a potent charm, although pronounced 
By my profane, but much unworthier, tongue. 
Hath brought me safe to this forbidden place. 
Where Christian yet ne'er trod? 
Don, I am the same. 

ViteL And to what end, great lady — pardon me. 
That 1 presume to ask, did your command 
Command me hither? Or what am I, to whom 
You should vouchsafe your favours; nay, your an- 
If any wild or uncollected speech, [gers ? 

Oflfensively deliver'd, or my doubt 
Of your imknown perfections, have displeased you. 
You wrong your indignation to pronounce, 
Yourself, my sentence : to have seen you only. 
And to have touch 'd that fortune-making hana. 
Will with delight weigh down all tortures, that 
A flinty hangman's rage could execute, 
Or rigid tyranny command with pleasure. 

Don, How the abundance of good flowing to thee. 
Is wrong'd in this simplicity ! and these bounties. 
Which ^1 our eastern kings have kneel 'd in vain for, 
Do, by thy ignorance, or wilful fear. 
Meet with a false construction ! Christian, know 
(For till thou art mine by a nearer name. 
That title, though abhorr'd here, takes not from 
Thy entertainment) that 'tis not the fashion 
Among the greatest and the fairest dames 
This Turkish empire gladly owes* and bows to, ^ 
To punish where there's no oflfence, or nourish 
Displeasures against those, without whose mercy 
They part with all felicity. Prithee, be wise. 
And gently understand me ; do not force her, 
That ne'er knew aught but to command, nor e'er read 
I'he elements of affection, but from such 
As gladly sued to her, in the infancy 
Of her new-bom desires, to be at once 
Importunate and immodest. 

Vitel, Did I know. 
Great lady, your commands ; or, to what purpose 
This periionated passion tends, (since 'twere 
A crime in me deserving death, to think 
It is your own,) I should, to make you sport. 
Take any shape you please t' impose upon me ; 
And with joy strive to serve you. 

Don, Sport ! Thou art cruel, 
If that thou canst interpret my descent 
From my higli birth and greatness, but to be 
A partf, in which I truly act myself: 
And 1 must hold thee for a dull spectator. 
If it stir not affection, and invite 
Compassion for my sufferings. Be thou taught 
By my example, to make satisfaction 
For wrongs unjustly offer'd. Willingly 
I do confess my fault ; I injured thee 
In some poor petty trifles : thus I pay for 
The trespass I did to thee. Here — receive 



* This 7\trJHsh empire gladly owes and bows to,} thoagh 
nothiug is mure common in our old writers, than the oae of 
this word (owe) in the sense of possess, yet Coxeter and 
Mr. M. Mason Invariably corrupt it into own. I have 
alrea<1^ noticed this; and, for the Aitnre, shall content my- 
self with silently restoring the genuine reading, 
t but to be 

A part, &€.] 1. e. to be nothing more than i fictitious cha- 
racter ; alluding to his terming her passion peraontUed, or 
played. 



SCKHB v.] 



THE RENEGADO. 



129 



These iMigs, sttiff *d iiill of oar imperial coin ; 
Or, if this payment be too light, take here 
The«e gems, for which the slavish Indian dives 
To the bottom of the main : or, if thou scorn 
These as base dross, which take but common minds, 
But fancy any honour in my gift. 
Which is unbounded as the sultan's power, 
And be possest oft. 

Vit§L I am overwhelmed 
With the weight of happiness you throw upon me : 
Nor can it fall in my imagination, 
What wrong you e'er have done me*; and much 

less 
How, like a royal t merchant, to return 
Your great magnificence. 

Don. Thej are degrees. 
Not ends, or my intended favours to thee. 
These seeds of bounty I yet scatter on 
A glebe I have not tried : — ^but, be thon thankful. 
The harvest is to come. 

Vittl What can be added 
To that which I already have received, 
I cannot comprehend. 

Don, The tender of 
MystUt Why dost thou start? and in that gill. 
Full restitution of that virgin freedom 
Which thou hast robb'd me of. Yet, I profess, 
I so far prize the lovely thief that stole it. 
That, were it possible thou couldst restore 
What thou unwittingly hast ravish'd from me, 
I should refuse the present. 

rod. How I shake 
In my constant resolution ! and my flesh. 
Rebellions to my better part, now tells me. 
As if it were a strong defence of frailty, 
A hermit in a desert, trench *d with prayers. 
Could not resist this battery. 

Don, I'bou an Italian, 
Nay more, I know't, a natural Venetian, 
Such as are courtiers bom to please fair ladies. 
Yet come thus slowly on. 

ViteL Excuse me. madam : 
What imputation soe*er the world 
Is pleased to lay upon us, in myself 
I am so innocent, that I know not what 'tis 
That I should offer. 

Don. By instinct I'll teach thee. 
And with such ease as love makes me to ask it. 
When a young lady wrings you by the hand, thus. 
Or with an amorous touch presses yonr foot, 
Looks babies in your eyes, plays with your locks. 
Do not you find,' without a tutor's help. 
What 'tui she looks for? 

ViuL 1 am grown already 
Skilful in the mystery. 

Don. Or, if thus she kiss you. 
Then tastes your lips again 



I * What wrong yoa t'er have done me ;] The old copy 
reads, H'Aol wrong I e'er tune done you. This trauspori- 
tioo uC pronoons, for vhich I am answerable, seems abso- 
lutely necessary to make seose of the passage. 

^ How, like a royal mereluint, to return 
Yowr groat tMgidlftcenioe^ We are not to imagine tbe word 
royal to be only a ranting epithet. In the thirteenth ccn- 
lary, the VenetLans were masters of the sea ; the Sanados, 
the Jnstinlani, the GrimaUi, &c., all MMvAonf*, erected 

j priacipidities in several pluces of the Archipelago, (which 
their descendants enjoyed for many generations,) and 
thereby becaine tmly 4nd properly royo/ nwfvAafif « .* which, 
indeed, was the title generally givea them all over £nrup«. 
WAasi;aToii. 

1 



Viitl, That latter blow 
Has beat all chaste thoughts from me. 

Don. Say, she points to 
Some private room tbe sunbenms never enter. 
Provoking dishes passiug by, to lieighten 
Declined appetite, active music ushering 
Your fainlmg steps, the waiters too, as bom dumb. 
Not daring to look on you. 

\Jc!.x%i^ inoiting him tflJoUttw, 

ViteL Though the devil 
Stood by, and roar'd, I follow ; Now I find 
That virtue's but a word, and no sure guard, 
If set upon by beauty and reward. [Exit. 



SCENE v.— >4 Hall in Asambeo's Home, 

Enter Aga, Capiaga, Grimaldi, Master, Boatswain, 
Gild others, 

Aga. The devil's in him, I think. 

Grim. Let him be damn'd too. 
I'll look on him, thou^rh he stared as wild as hell ; 
Nay, I'll go near* to tell him to his teeth, 
If he mends not suddenly, and proves more thankful, 
W^e do him too much service. Were't not for shame 
I could turn honest, and forswear my trade : [now. 
Which, next to being truss 'd up at the maiuyard 
By some low country butterboz, I hate 
As deadly as 1 do fasting, or long grace 
When meat cools on the table. 

Cap. But take heed ; 
You know his violent nature. 

Grim. Let his whores 
And catamites know't; I understand myself. 
And how unmanly 'tis to sit at home, 
And rail at us, that run abroad all hazards, 
If every week we bring not home new pillage. 
For the fatting his st^raglio. 

Enur AsAMBEo and MusTAPHAf. 

Aga, Here he comes. 

Cap. How terrible he looks ! 

Grim, To such as fear him. 
The viceroy, Asambeg ! were he the sultan's self. 
He'll let us know a reason for his fury, 
Or we roust take leave, without his allowance. 
To be merry with our ignorance. 

A$am, Mahomet's hell 
Light on you all ! You crouch and cringe now : — 

VNhere 
Was the terror of my just frowns, when you 

suffer'd 
Those thieves of Malta, almost in our harbour. 
To board a ship, and bear her safely off. 
While you stood idle lookers on ] 

Aga, The odds 
In the men and shipping, and the suddeimess 
Of their departure, yielding us no leisure 
To send forth others to relieve our own, 
Deterr'd us, mighty sir. 

• A'ay, I'll go near to tell him to Ma teeth.] This is a 
colloquial phrase, and means, J am not unlikeipt J will not 
eeruple murht to tell him to hb teeth ;~thc modern editors, 
comprehending neither the sense nor the measure of the 
line, read. 

Nap, ril go neaivr to teU him to hit teeth ! 

t JEni«r AsAMBKO and M cstapha.J Mr. M. Mason reads. 
Enter Aeambeg, Mustapha, and Agal Did not the cor- 
rectest of all editors observe that he had inarketl the en- 
trance of the aga a few lines above t It is tme, Coxeter 
has the same direction, hot this is no excuse for one whofee 
sole pretence to credit is the reformation of his errors. 

K 



130 



THE REXEOADO, 



(Act II. 



Olefin. Deterr'd you, cownrd* ! 
How dun^t you only etiterfiiiii the knowltnlgo 
Of what fetir wa*, but iu thp not p«*rfomiiance 
Of our conirnaiid ? In mp preiit Amurath spuke; 
My voice did eoho to your eur* \i\^ tbuniler. 
And will'd you. like so many s^^ii-boni triToni, 
Ami'd onlv with the inimpets of vour cour&g^, 
To sHim up to her, aii<l, like rt^morus* 
Hiin^ing upon hvr keel, to »tay hrr flif^ht, 
Till rescue, sent from ua, fand fHch'd yuu ufF. 
You think you're siife now, Wlio cluriC but dis- 
pute it, 
Or mtke it questionable, if, this moment. 
I charged you, (nun van htui|:;in|j; clift, that glasses 
His rug^ged forchinid iu the tif^i^rlihouring' lake, 
To thrcjw youn^lveidowij hcndhmg ? or, like ftiggotii. 
To fill the ditcbf<ji of defendeil furts, 
\ While on your bucks w« miircli'd up to the breach f 

Grim, Thttt would not I. 

A»im, Hit ! 

Grim. Yet I dare as muclj 
As any of the Hultan*ft boldest sons, 
Whose henven Hud hell bang on hi^i frown or smile, 
Hia vrarlike jnni^ariesi, 

Aattn. Add one syllable more. 
Thou dost pronounce y[Kjn thyself a sentence 
That, enrChquoke-hke, will awullow thee» 

Grim, Let it u[xe<n, 
I'll Hiand the hiizurd ; ihojie contHTiuied fhieveg, 
Your feliow -pirates, sir, the hold .Mnlt^'i***. 
Whom with your looks you think to quelLtit Rhodes 
Ljiut;bM at p^reat Solytnaii*^ tujgor : und, if trcaaon 
Ilml not delivcTfd them into his power, 
lltt hud grown old in glory as in venrs. 
At that so fnhd siesfp ; or risen with shame, 
His hopes tind threats dtjlud«d, 

Amm. Our great prophet ! 
How have I lost my anger and my power I 

Grim, Find it, and use it on thy fl^itterfrs, 
And not upon thv friends, lliat dure »penk truth, 
Theae knigrhtJi ot iMalta, but a htindful to 
Your armies, that drinkf rivers up, Imivh stood 
Your fury at the hfight, and with iht-ir cro»A<*a 
Struck pole your horned mo<m.H): ^ theAemcn of Malta, 
Since I took pay from you, I've mi^t and foug^ht witli, 
Ujjon advantajre too; yet, to apt'uk truth, 
By the soul of honour, I hare ever found tliem 
As provident to direct, and bold to do, 
As any train *d up in your discipline, 
RavishM from other nations. 

Mtata. I perceive 
The lijflituing^ in Uis fiery looks ^ the cloud 
Is broke arr«ady. 

Grim. Think not, iharefore, air» 

* Hke remtiriA 

MasnffiHfi Uiiim her tuvl,]— lit mnn l« * fldi, W kiiKl of 
worm th«t itUk* ki «lilpt und retards \\iv\r pM^^gv tlinvit^h 
lite w*ter.— An citcvlkiii UltiHraiiutt occutt in iiiMJiur « 

All •«"i|Jiiol> Jllrn- I l*»vc HMtu Itrt ktfh 

A liUli* rt*li ihiir mm mhU rrrnarat 
U'hicli »roji.t Iw^r cotiMc, iitu\ lull! hrr by the keete 
That V) Utile nor iuie cuitlrt ifi«i%c her h«tice )tw<tv. 

FaI 
t Ytmr arfnifUh4it ^Uink riprrwttp,} Itijottkiouily Mttcred 
by Mr. M. M 4»(m» lit tirank river* ap. 

1 ofut with fhfir tru*sf« 

»yff*n'4 ftiiU jftntr ht.rnnl rnufjij* ■] This rt«](iat i|lln»loti Iu 
tha \m\iT*ft of llv Mnliivc ntv) Turkiih ManH^ntv If iJcao- 
tlflill^ vnrlr.t In The Knight f\f Mi\lui, bv I'litclier: 
** AUil ntl ilnlr •i1v4-r Cft9is.-ni% t«it'n I mw, 
XtWv fftllruj; iretPMn •prnt^ mtit icl t^t t'vtr 
tinder X\\t crw* of WuHa/* 



That you alone are gianta, and such pigmfM 
You war ujjon. 

Amm. Villain \ HI make thee know 
Thou hast blaspbemed theOthoman power* and safer 
At noonday, inigbt'st have gh-^en fire to St. Mark's, 
Your proud Venetian tfnjplt^, — Seiie upon him ; 
1 am not ao n^iar reconciled »o him, 
To hid him die ; thfit were A benefit 
The dog's unworthy cif. To our u»e Gonfiarate 
All that he stands pos<««>ss'd of; let him taate 
The misery of want, and his vain riots, 
Like to so many walking ghosts, affright him 
Where'er lit? sets his defi}>erute foot. Who is't 
That dop9 commimd you T 

Grim, Is thJ!i tlio reward 
For all my ft**nrice, and the rape I made 
On fair Piuilina ! 

yJnum. Dmg him hence :— he dies, 
That dallies but a mmute. 

[Grimtitiit ii draffg'd off, hti head cavfrtd, 

Bmtm\ What's become of 
Our shares now, ma.ster? 

Mast. Would lie hud b^'en bnru dumb ! 
The beggar'tt curt, paiiemr*, in all thnt's led U3< 

[Kirnni Matter and Bttutiimiin, 

Muttat Twas but intempHrance of speech, excuse 
het mt* pr«»vjul so far. Fame gives him out [him ; 
For a deserving fellow. 

Amm. At Aleppo, 
I durst not pre?*s you so far : give me leave 
To use my own will, and com mat id in iunis ; 
And. if you plni^e, my privacy. 

Mnxttt. I will see voii, 
Whfu ihfs hii{h wind's blown o*er, [£j|£. 

Amm, So shall you find nw 
Ready to do you service. Hage, now leaive me ; 
Stern lookii, and all die ri'r*'mniuf»us forms 
Attending on dread majesty, fly from 
Transformed Astuubeg* Why abould I hug 

[PulU out a hiy. 
So near my heart, what lends m© to my prison; 
Wh«re she thm is iiitliraird, commands her ti<>eper, 
And robfiK me of the fit^rceness I was "born with ! 
Stout men quake at my frowns, and in return 
I tremble at her softness. Base Grimaldi 
lint only mimed Pntilina, and the cbarm 
Had almost clioak'd my fury, ere I could [her, 

Pronounce hit aentenre. Would, when first I saw 
Aline eyes hnd met with lightning, and in place 
Of hearing lier fiit-huntinig tongue, the shnt*k» 
Of mandrakes had madt? mUMic to my slumbers f 
For now I only walk n loving dream. 
And, but to imy diahooour, never wake; 
And yet am blind, but when I see the object. 
And madly dote on it. Appear, bnght apark 

[O/wai a door ; Paulina comnftnih. 
Of all [>erfection ' any simile 
Borrow'd from diamonds, or the fairest stars, 
To help me to express how dear I prise 
1 by uiimatch'd graces, will rise tip and chide roe 
For poor detraction. 

Ptiui. I despuie tliy flaUedes : 
Tbns spit at tbetn and soom them ; and being itnii*d 
In the assurance of my innocent virtue, 
I slamp upon all doubts, all feiu^s. all tortures. 
Thy bnrburous cruelty, or, what's worse, thy dotage, 
The worthy pnr^iit of iJiy jea lousy. 
Can shower u{)on roe. 

Aiam. If tbea* biCtor taunts 



SCFNB VI.] 



THE RENEGADO. 



131 



Rarisb me from myself, and make me think 
My greedy ears receive angelical sounds ; 
How would this tongue, tuned to a loving note 
Invade, and take possession of my soul, 
Which then I durst not call my own ! 

PouL Thou art false. 
Falser than thy religion. Do but think me 
Something above a beast, nay more, a monster 
Would flight the sun to look on, and then tell me. 
If this base usage can invite affection T 
If to be mewed up, and excluded from 
Human society ; the use of pleasures ; 
The necessary, not superfluous, duties 
Of servants to discharge those offices 
I blush to name — 

Asam, Of servants ! Can you think 
That I, that dare not trust the eye of heaven 
To look upon your beauties ; that deny 
Myself the happiness to touch your pureness, 
Will e'er consent an eunuch, or bought handmaid, 
Shall once approach you ? — There is something in 
That can work miracles, or I am cozen 'd, [you 

Dispose and alter sexes, to my wrong. 
In spite of nature. I will be your nurse, 
Your woman, your physician, and your fool ; 
Till, with your free consent, which I have vow*d 
Never to force, you grace me with a name 
That shall supply all these. 

PauL What is it? 

Aaam, Your husband. 

PauL My hangman when thou pleasest. 

A$am, Thus I guard me 
Against your further angers — [Leadt her to the door, 

PauL Which shall reach thee, 
Though I were in the centre. 

[Atambeg clotet the door upon her, and loeki it, 

Asam, Such a spirit. 
In such a small proportion, I ne*er read of. 
Which time must alter : Ravish her I dare not ; 
llie magic that she wears about her neck, 
I think, defends her : — this devotion paid 
To this sweet saint, mistress of my sour pain, 
'TIS fit I take mine own rough shape again. [Ex't. 

SCENE VI.— il Street near Donusa's Palace. 
Enter Frakciscx) and Gazet. 

Fran, I think he*% lost. 

Gat, 'Tis ten to one of that ; 
I ne'er knew citizen turn courtier yet. 
But he lost his credit, though he saved himself. 
Why, look you, sir, there are so many lobbies. 
Out-offices, and dispartations here*. 
Behind these Turkish hangings, that a Christian 
Hardly gets off but circumcised. 
Enter Vitklli ridily habited, Carazis, and Mavto. 

Fran 1 am troubled. 
Troubled exceedingly. Ha ! what are these ? 

* Out-qficee, and dhpartations here,] I have already 
observed that there is bat one edition of this play, which 
read.4 in thii plare, dispute actiene : the error wai detected 
at the preM, and exchanged onfortonately for another, diepu- 
tatumef which is the reading of Coxeter and Mr. M. Maaun. 
I have examined teveral copies, bnt can find no farther cor- 
rection: diepartoHone, which is here adopted, is the con- 
jectoral amendment of Mr. Davies, who sajs, that it sig- 
nifies *' separate apnrtments ;" if it be so, it is wlU ; at any 
rate it is belter than the old reading, which signifies nothing. 
An ingenious fHend, to whom I shewed the passage, is in- 
clined to think that the genuine word was di9parati(m», frum 
the Latii^ diaporala.— I leave the whole to the reader. 



Gas, One, by his rich suit, should be some French 
ambasrador ; 
For his train, I think they are Turks. 

Fran. Peace ! be not seen. [cover'd. 

Car, You are now past all the guards, and undis- 
You may return. 

ViteL There's for your pains : forget not 
My humblest service to the best of ladies. 

Mant, Deserve her favour, sir, in making haste 
For a second entertainment. 

[Exeunt Caratie and Manto, 

ViteL Do not doubt me ; 
I shall not live till then. 

Gaz. The train is vanish'd : 
They have done him some good office, he's so free 
And liberal of his gold. Ha ! do I dream, 
Or is this mine own natural master 1 

Fran, "Tis he : 
But strangely metamorphosed. You have made, sir, 
A prosperous voyage ; heaven grant it be honest, 
I shall rejoice then too. 

Gaz. You make him blush. 
To talk of honesty : you were but now 
In the giving vein, and may think of Gazet, 
Your worship's 'prentice. 

ViuL There's gold : be thou free too, 
And master of my shop, and all the wares 
We brought from Venice. 

Gaz. Rivo, then* ! 

ViteL Dear sir, 
This place affords not privacy for discourse ; 
But I can tell you wonders ; my rich habit 
Deserves least admiration ; there is nothing 
lliat can fall in the compass of your wishes. 
Though it were to redeem a thousand slaves 
From the Turkish galleys, or, at home, to erect 
Some pious work, to shame all hospitals. 
But I am master of the means. 

Fran. 'Tis strange. 

ViteL As I walk, I'll tell you more. 

Gas. Pray you, a word, sir ; 
And then I will put on. I have one boon more* 

ViuL What is't? speak freely. 

Gas. Thus thent : As I am master 
Of your shop and wares, pray you, help me to some 

trucking 
Witk your laai ahe-^uptf sr ; tlMogh she crack my 

best piece, 
I will endure it with patience. 

ViteL Leave your prating. 

Gas. I may : you have been doing, we will do too. 

Fran. I am amazed, yet will not blame nor chide 
you. 
Till you inform me further : yet must savi 
They steer not the right course, nor traffic well. 
That seek a passage to reach heaven through hell. 

l^Exeunt, 



* Gag. Rivo, then!] This interjection CcormpCed, I sup- 
pose, from the Spanish riot which is figuratively used for a 
large quantity of liquor) is frequently introduced by our 
old poets, and generally as an incitement to boisterous mirth 
and revelry. 

tGa». 'J hut then: At I am moMier, Ac] This poor ri- 
baldry is introduced to ** set on some quantity of barren 
spectators to laugh," and 'tis to be regretted, for the rest of 
the act has a vein of genuine poetry running through it, 
which would not debase the noblest compositions or the 
tinier. I suppose Mas5inger'8 excuse must be that of a 
much greater man, ate vivUur, 

a 2 



13« 



THE RENEGADO. 



[Act 111. 



ACT III. 



SCENE T.— ^ Room in Donusa'g Palace, 
Enter Donusa and Makto. 

Don. When said he he would come again? 

Mant. He swore, 
Short minutes should he tedious agres to him, 
Until the tender of his second service : 
So much he seem'd transported with the first. 
X Don. I am sure I was. I charge thee, Manto, tell 
By all my favours and my bounties, truly, [me, 

Whether thou art a virgin, or, like me, 
riast forfeited that name ? 

Mant. A virgin, madam*, 
At|my years ! being a waiting-woman, and in court 
That were miraculous. I so long since lost [too ! 
That barren burthen, I almost forget 
That ever I was one. 

Don. And could thy friends 
Read in thy face, thy maidenhead gone, that thou 
Hadst parted with it ? 

Mant, No, indeed : I past 
For current many years after, till, by fortune. 
Long and continued practice in the sport 
Blew up my deck ; a husband then was found out 
By my mdulgent father, aiid to the world 
All was made whole again. What need you fear, then. 
That, at your pleasure, may repair your honour, 
Durst any envious or malicious tongue 
Preaume to taint it ? 

Enter Carazie. 

Don. How now ? 

Car. Madam, the basha 
Humbly desires access. 

Don, If it had been 
My neat Italian, thou hadst met my wishes. 
Tell him we would be private. 

Car. So I did. 
But he is much importunate. 

Mant. Best dispatch him ; 
His lingering here else will deter the other 
From making bis approach. 

Don. His entertainment 
^hall not invite a second visit. Go ; 
Say we are pleased. 

Enter Mustapha. 

Mutt, All happiness 

Don. Be sudden. 
'Twas saucy rudeness in you, sir, to press 
On my retirements ; but ridiculous folly 
To waste the time, that might be better spent, 
In complimental wishes. 

Car, There's a cooling 
For his hot encounter. 

Don. Come you here to iftare ? 
If you have lost your tongue, and use of speech. 
Resign your goremment ; there's a mute's place void 
In my uncle's court, I hear ; and you may work me 
To write for your preferment. 



*it vimfn, madam, Ac] Manto had been atndylng mo- 
draty io Thtt Maid's Tragedy, from which too mach of tbii 
accne b borrowed. Id the condosioo, aa Daviea remarks, 
there la an allaaion to Qaartilla : Jtmonem meam iratam 
habeam, •< vmqmim me meminerim virginem /kiime. 



Mutta. This is strange ! 
I know not, madam, what neglect of mine 
Has call'd this sconi upon me. 

Don. To the purpose— 
My will's a reason, and we stand not bound 
To yield account to you. 

Mutta. Not of your angers : 
But with erected ears I should hear from you 
The story of your good opinion of me. 
Confirm 'd by love and favours. 

Don. How deserved ? 
I have considered you from head to foot. 
And can find nothing in that wainscot face. 
That can teach me to dote ; nor am I taken 
With your grim aspect, or tadpole-lile complexion. 
Those scars you glory in, I fear to look on ; 
And had much rather hear a merry tale. 
Than all your bHttles won with blood and sweat. 
Though you belch forth the stink too in the service, 
And swear by your mustachios all is true. [sicr. 

You are yet too rough for me : purge and take phy- 
Purchase perfumers, get me some French tailor 
To new-create you ; the first shape you were made 
with • [too. 

Is quite worn-out : let^ your barber wash your face 
You look yet like a bugbear to fright children ; 
Till when I take my leave. — Wait me, Carazie. 

[Exeunt Donusa and Carazie. 

Mutta. Stay you, my lady's cabinet-key. 

Mant, How's this, sir? [else. 

Musta. Stay, and stand quietly, or you shall fall 
Not to firk your belly up, flounder-like, but never 
To rise again. Offer but to unlock [me,) 

These doors that stop your fugitive tongue, (observe 
And, by my fury, I'll fix there this bolt 

[Drawt h't teimitar. 
To bar thy speech for ever. So ! be safe now ; 
And but resolve me, not of what I doubt. 
But bring assurance to a thing believed, 
1 hou makest tliyself a fortune ; not depending 
On the uncertain favours of a mistress, 
But art thyself one. I'll not so far question 
My judgment and observance, as to ask 
Why I am slighted and contemn d ; but in 
Whose favour it is done. I that have read 
The copious volumes of all women's falsehood, 
Commented on by the heart-breaking groans 
Of abused lovers ; all the doubts wash'd off 
With fruitless tears, the spider's cobweb veil 
Of arguments alleged in their defence, 
Blown off with sighs of desperate men ; and they 
Appearing in tlieir full deformity : 
Know, that some other hath displanted me, 
Witli her dishonour. Has she given it up 1 
Confirm it in two S3fllables. 

Mant. She has. 

Mutta. 1 cherish thy confession thus, and thus ; 

[Gtvff her jewels. 
Be mine. Again I court thee thus, and thus ; 
Now prove but constant to my ends. 

Mant. By all [crocodiles, 

Mutta. Enough ; I dare not doubt thee. O land 
Made of Egy-ptian slime, accursed women ; 
Bat 'tis no time to rail — come, my best Manto. 

[Exeunt. 



SCEMB II.] 



THE REN EG ADO. 



133 



SCENE II.— J Street. 
Enter Vitelli mid Francisco. 

ViteL Sir, as you are my confessor, you stand Y>ound 
Not to repeal whatever I discover 
In that religious way : nor dare I doubt you. 
Let it suffice you have made me see my follies, 
And wrought, perhaps, compu action ; for I would not 
Appear an hypocrite. But, when you impose 
A penance on me beyond flesh and blood 
To undergo, you must instruct me how 
To put off the condition of a man ; 
Or, if not pardon, at the least, excuse 
My disobedience. Yet, despair not, sir : 
For, though I take mine own way, I shall do 
Something that may hereafter, to my glory. 
Speak me your scholar. 

Fran, I enjoin you not 
To go, but send. 

ViteL That were a petty trial ; 
Not worth one, so long taught and exercised 
Under so grave a master. Reverend Francisco, 
My friend, my father, in that word, my all ; 
Rest confident you shall hear something of me, 
That will redeem me in your good opinion. 
Or judge me lost for ever. Send Gazet 
(She shall give order that he may have entrance) 
To acquaint you with my fortunes. [Exit, 

Fran. Go, and prosper. 
Holy saints guide and strengthen thee ! however, 
As thy endeavours are, so may they find 
Gracious acceptance. 

Entfr Gazet, and Grimaldi in ragt*. 

Gas. Now, you do not roar, sir ; 
You speak not tempests, nor take ear-rent from 
A poor shopkeeper. Do you remember that, sir ? 
I wear your marks here still. 

Fran. Can this be possible ? 
AD wonders are not ceased then. 

Grimi, Do, abuse me, 
Smt on me, spurn m?, pull me by the nose, 
Thrust out these fier/ eyes, that yesterday 
Would have look'd th^ dead. 

Gas. O save me. sir ! 

Grim. Fear nothing. 
I am tame and ouiet ; there's no wrong can force me 
To remember wnat I was. I have forgot 
1 e'er had ireful fierceness, a steel'd heart, 
Insensible of compassion to others ; 
Nor is it fit that 1 should think myself 
Worth mine own pity. Oh ! 

Fran. Grows this dejection 
From his disgrace, do you say ? 

Gau Why, he's cashier d. sir ; 
His ships, his goods, his livery-punks, confiscate : 
And there is such a punishment laid upon him ! — 
The miserable rogue must steal no more. 
Nor drink, nor drab. 

Fran. Does that torment him 1 

Gas. O, sir, 
Should the sute take order to bar men of acres 
From these two laudable recreations. 
Drinking and whoring, how should panders purchase. 



* Enter Oaut, and GaiMALOi in rage.] Mr. M. If aton 
reads, Entgr GoMet and Grimaldi, in rag; Bat Gaict bad 
jMt been enriched bv hb matter, and, as he says himBeir, 
was in proaperooa drcnmsiancca. It moat be as I have 
given it flrom the old a>|>y. 



Or thrifty whores build hospitals ? 'Slid ! if I, 
That, since I am made free, may write myself 
A city gallant, should forfeit two such charters, 
I should be stoned to death and ne'er be pitied 
By the liveries of those companies. 

Fran, VouH be u bipt, sir, 
If you bridle not your tongue. Haste to the palace. 
Your master looks for you. 
^ Gat, My quondam master. 
Rich sons forget they ever had poor fathers ; 
In servants 'tis more pardonable : as a companion. 
Or so, I may consent : but is there hope, sir, 
He has got me a good chapwoman ? pray you write 
A word or two in my behalf. 

Fran. Out, rascal I 

Gat, I feel some insurrections. 

Fran. Hence ! 

Gat. I vanish. {Exit. 

Grim. Why sliould I study a defence or comfort. 
In whom black guilt and misery, if balanced, 
I know not which would turn the scale ? look upward 
I dare not ; for, should it but be believed 
That I, died deep in hell's most horrid colours. 
Should dare to hope for mercy, it would leave 
No check or feeling in men innocent. 
To catch at sins the devil ne er taught mankind yet. 
No ! I must downward, downward ; though repent- 
ance 
Could borrow all the glorious wings of grace. 
My mountainous weight of sins would crack their 
And sink them to hell with me. [pinions, 

Fran, Dreadful ! Hear me. 
Thou miserable man. 

Grim, Good sir, deny not 
But that there is no punishment beyond 
Damnation. 

Enter Master and Boatswain. 

Matter, Yonder he is ; I pity him. [serve you. 
Boatsw. Take comfort, captain ; we live stiu to 
Grim, Serve me ! I am a devil already : leave me — 
Stand further off, you are blasted else ! I have heard 
Schoolmen affirm* man's body is composed 
Of the four elements ; and, as in league together 
They nourish life, so each of them affords 
Liberty to tlie soul, when it grows weary 
Of this fleshy prison. Which shall I make choice of? 
The fire ? not ; I shall feel that hereafter. 
The earth will not receive me. Should some whirl- 
Snatch me into the air, and I hang there, [wind 
Perpetual plagues would dwell upon ihe earth; 
And those superior bodies, that pour down 
Their cheerful influence, deny to pass it. 
Through those vast regions 1 have infected. 
The sea? ay, that is justice : there I plough 'd up 
Mischief as deep as hell : there, there, I'll hide^ 
1 his cursed lump of clay. May it turn rocks. 



- / have heard 



Schoolmen affirm man's body is compoeed 
Of the four element*;] Grimaldi and Sir Toby had 
evidently studied under the same masters : the latter Intro- 
daces his philosophy more naturally^ bnt the grave applica- 
tion of it by the former, is an improvement. Serionyly, the 
conclusion of this speech is very nuble. 

f The fire T no ;] Fire must be read as a dissyllable ; I 
suspect, however, that there was uiigindlly an iutcrjection 
befoie nOf which was dropt at the preM. 

: there, there 77/ hide] Mr. M. Mason omits the 

second there, which is absolutely necessary to the comple- 
tion of the verse. 



I 



Where pluramffi'a weigh r coiilH n<»vprri»ach the sands. 
And priTid rhe ribKotalJ Mich burks as jifuss 
'Hie ocpnn*» brensl in my imltm ful coufs»" ! 
I hastH tlifti to tJni'« ; let lliV ruvi'iioii4 WoiTih, 
Whom all I lungs dse deny, b** now my tomb I 

[ El it. 

Mast